Question

people who live in poverty are at increased risk of mental illness compared to their economically stable peers. their lives are stressful. they are both witness to and victims of more violence and trauma than those who are reasonably well - off, and they are at high risk of poor general health and malnutrition. the converse is also true: when people are mentally ill, they are at increased risk of becoming and/or staying poor. they have higher health costs, difficulty getting and retaining jobs, are less productive at work, and suffer the social stigma and isolation of mental illness.

• “poverty and mental health: can the 2 - way connection be broken?”

esther entin
which statement best summarizes this passage?
○ poverty increases the risk for mental illness.
○ poverty and mental illness are not interconnected.
○ poverty and mental illness lead to malnutrition.
○ poverty increases exposure to violence and trauma.

Explanation:

The passage states that people in poverty have a higher risk of mental illness (due to stress, violence, trauma, etc.) and that mentally ill people are at higher risk of poverty (due to health costs, job issues, etc.). The main point is the connection between poverty and increased mental illness risk. The second option is wrong as the passage shows a connection. The third option is incorrect as the passage mentions malnutrition as a result of poverty, not a result of both poverty and mental illness. The fourth option is a detail, not the main summary. The first option captures the core idea.

Answer:

A. Poverty increases the risk for mental illness.