ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the paradox between growing equity in mental health diagnosis and treatment and the discontent and injustice experienced by those living with poverty-related distress. The chapter identifies two inter-related ways in which forms of injustice impact on people in low-income communities: first, examining how experiences of poverty and engagement with the welfare system can engender and exacerbate underlying vulnerabilities to mental distress; and second, focusing on the wellbeing implications of medicalising poverty-related distress. Particular attention is given to the relevance, effectiveness and ethics of current treatment options and their implications for equitable service provision and support.
