Mental Health and the Experience of Social Problems Involving Rights: Findings from the United Kingdom and New Zealand

Abstract

As with general morbidity, psychiatric morbidity has been linked to an array of social problems, with interest in those links heightened by the noted vulnerability of those with mental illness and the cost of mental illness to the economy. Legal rights have a bearing upon many social problems. This study, based on data drawn from surveys of 2,628 adults in England and Wales and 7,200 people aged ≥15 in New Zealand, examines links between rights problems and mental illness. We find significant associations between rights problems, in general and in the majority of types studied, and mental illness; both when experienced in isolation and in combination with physical illness. All problems were also reported to have led, on occasion, to stress-related illness. Illness was less often reported as being the main cause of problems. We argue that effective coordination of mental health and legal services is likely to improve both health and justice outcomes.

Key words:

• law
• legal rights
• mental health
• rights