Affordable housing Quote by Irving Kirsch
““Not only are poor, unemployed, less will-educated and non-white people more likely to become depressed, but they are also least likely to benefit from treatment by either antidepressants or psychotherapy. That is why combating depression requires more than merely providing effective treatment for those who are already suffering from it. We also need the change the social conditions - such a racism, unemployment, poverty, unaffordable housing, and lack of adequate education - that put people at increased risk of becoming depressed.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Depression and Social Determinants, 2013
Depression is more common among disadvantaged groups, and they also receive less benefit from standard treatments, so fixing social inequities is essential for prevention and recovery.
In simple terms: Poor people get depressed more and treatment works less for them.
Key Takeaway
Address systemic inequality to reduce depression.
Themes
health inequality
mental health
social justice
Mood
concerned
hopeful
Type
analytical
advocacy
When to use this quote
- public policy
- community health programs
- education reform
- housing initiatives
Key Concepts
Social determinants of health
health disparities
Questions to Reflect On
- How can policies reduce mental‑health gaps?
- What role does stigma play in treatment access?
A Different Perspective
Treatments alone cannot fully solve depression without social change.
![“One [project of Teddy Cruz's] is titled Living Rooms at the Border. it takes a piece of land with an unused church zoned for three units and carefully arrays on it twelve affordable housing units, a community center (the converted church), offices for Casa in the church's attic, and a garden that…” quote by Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/446/rebecca-solnit-569_109_one-project-of-teddy-cruz-s-is-titled-li_109840.jpg)
