UKZN study links cash support to better mental health outcomes
A UKZN study shows that cash support can improve mental health recovery among unemployed youth living with psychosis.
A new study by UKZN has added fresh insight to South Africa’s ongoing debate around the introduction of a Basic Income Grant (BIG), showing that direct cash support can improve mental health outcomes among unemployed young people living with psychosis.
The research, funded by the Wellcome Trust and published in the International Journal of Mental Health, was conducted by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from UKZN, the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Exeter, and other institutions.
The pilot study involved 60 unemployed young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 who had recently been diagnosed with first-episode psychosis. Participants were divided into two groups, with one group receiving standard clinical care, while the intervention group received an unconditional cash transfer of R1350 per month for three months in addition to clinical care.
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Researchers found that participants who received financial support were more likely to take their medication consistently and reported a better quality of life compared to those who did not receive cash assistance.
Lead researcher Joyce Mlay said many young people with psychosis face socio-economic barriers such as unemployment, food insecurity, and lack of transport money, which often prevent them from accessing treatment consistently.
Senior author Professor Andrew Tomita said the findings demonstrate the strong link between financial stability and mental health recovery.
“This research shows that when you reduce financial stress, you enable better health-seeking behaviour. Mental health recovery does not happen in isolation from social and economic conditions,” said Tomita.
Although researchers noted that the trial was small and not intended to measure long-term clinical outcomes, they believe the findings provide early evidence that poverty reduction measures, such as a Basic Income Grant, could support mental health recovery while potentially reducing hospital readmissions and healthcare costs in the future.
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