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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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How Struggling on the Economic Margins Affects Mental Health

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly one in five adults in the United States experiences a mental health condition each year. For families living below the federal poverty line, mental illness is even more prevalent and pernicious.

May 28, 2019

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and every day at Crisis Assistance Ministry, we see how struggling on the economic margins affects mental health. 

Poverty Impacts Mental Health

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly one in five adults in the United States experiences a mental health condition each year.   For families living below the federal poverty line, mental illness is even more prevalent and pernicious.  In a research brief entitled “Mental Health and Poverty”, the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University found that not only are lower-income people more likely to experience poor mental health, including higher levels of severe mental illness and suicidal thoughts, but also less likely to receive the necessary treatment.

Additionally, the McSilver Institute’s review of recent research shows a bidirectional relationship between poverty and mental health in that “poverty may exacerbate mental illness and mental illness may lead to poverty.” 

Childhood Poverty Can Permanently Affect Future Health

For children living in poverty, the mental health connection is even more complicated and potentially devastating.  Much attention has been paid to toxic stress and Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), especially the ways trauma can alter a child’s physical and mental health, limiting opportunities for self-actualization.  A recent article in the North Carolina Medical Journal, “Poverty as an Adverse Childhood Experience”, argues that “policy investments promoting family financial health are imperative to protect child well-being and North Carolina’s future prosperity.”

Gone are the days of defining health as simply a body without disease.  Today we recognize that physical, emotional, social, environmental, educational, economic, and mental factors all play a role in our ability to reach optimal health and full potential.

Help is Available

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, contact local lead agency Mental Health America of Central Carolinas or call them at (704) 365-3454.  You may also want to check out their 10 Tools to Live Your Life Well, which includes great information for managing mental health and self-care. 

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: Adverse Childhood Events, Mental Health, Mental Health America of Central Carolinas, Mental Health Month, National Alliance on Mental Illness, toxic stress

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
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  • Main Office:
    500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
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Recent Photos

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These community-minded Deltas celebrated Founder's Day last week by inspecting and preparing donated goods for Free Store shoppers. With their help, families shopping free of charge will find essentials to help them live with dignity this week.

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The King Center's theme for MLK Day 2023 is "It Start's With Me: Cultivating A Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems." Fifty-five years after his death, we still see the impacts of unjust systems every day at Crisis Assistance Ministry.  Read more in this weekend's blog (link in bio)

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Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of  Martin Luther King Day. The office will be closed to all customers, volunteers, staff, and donors. Typical hours resume on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

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Families in Charlotte, and across the country, are struggling to make ends meet. Inflation has outpaced wage growth. People are working harder than ever but still falling behind on rent and utilities. People need more money. But could we use policy to get more money into the hands of those who need it the most? This week's blog takes a look at the potential for Guaranteed Basic Income here in the Queen City. (Link in bio)
📷 courtesy of @stocktondemo

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Just one more day before we're back to "normal." So, @CrisisAssistMin is closed January 2, 2023,  and will return to typical business hours tomorrow, January 3.
(Financial assistance 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Free Store by appointment 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Donation drop off 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

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Wishing you hope, warmth, & light in the new year and beyond.
(P.S. @crisisassistmin will be closed tomorrow, January 2, and reopen with typical hours on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.)

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"Everybody wants to have that light shine."
Nikki shares what the holidays mean to her family as we reach the end of the year.  Looking back, she's grateful for the help of the community to get her through a financial crisis and back on her feet moving toward economic mobility.
Thousands more families will seek that same kind of help -- to stay safely housed, to keep utilities flowing, to provide clothing and household goods, and to rebuild financial stability -- in 2023.
Visit our quick links to learn more and to make a tax-deductible year-end gift to help more of our neighbors in the coming year.
Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Crisis Assistance Ministry wishes the hope, warmth, and light of home to all those who celebrate Kwanzaa this week.

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This snack ministry was a little different. Ashley (a.n.outlaw)  from @nachoaveragetruck wanted to provide hot food to neighbors seeking financial assistance or waiting to shop for essentials in the Free Store. So, she brought freshly made beef or veggie burritos and a caring smile to @CrisisAssistMin on a very cold day. It's so inspiring when the community steps up in BIG and small ways.

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