Perspectives Of Social Justice Among People Living With Mental Illness And Poverty: A Qualitative Study

The experience of people with mental illness - many of whom live in poverty - regarding social justice has not been well studied. The present study sought to explore these experiences. Thirty-four individuals with mental illness participated in a one-time focus group interview. A focused ethnographic approach to analysis was used. Participants expressed a need for support of self-determination as well as a focus on basic needs that they thought should be better addressed, such as food, housing, employment, income and high quality services. In sum, people living with mental illness and poverty report multiple unfulfilled needs that require a multi-faceted approach.