Studies have identified poverty as a factor that can contribute to poor mental health. Knifton and Inglis detail this by underscoring that “Poverty in childhood and among adults can cause poor mental health through social stresses, stigma and trauma.” This applies to all countries, including Cuba. Here are five factors impacting mental health in Cuba.

5 Factors Impacting Mental Health in Cuba

1. The Impact of Shift Work. The Havana Times highlights that shift work, often visible in medical and government sectors in Cuba, adversely impacts mental health. For instance, an employee may need to work 24-hour straight shifts coupled with three days off thereafter.  A study by Park and Lee published in 2022 says these types of shifts raise an employee’s susceptibility to depressive and anxiety-related symptoms by 33% and double the risk of suicidal thoughts. This is due to the fact that shift work disturbs the natural circadian cycle and heightens the risk of Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD).  In comparison to workers with standard daytime schedules, suicidal ideation is twice as common in shift employees.
2. The Impact of Turbulent Housing Circumstances. A lack of stable and secure housing can induce stress that leads to mental turmoil. Oftentimes, large Cuban families in poverty live in constricted, single-room homes provided by the government with insufficient space to accommodate multigenerational families. This limitation in their daily lives can ultimately lead to mental health troubles, says a study on mental illness in Cuba by Laura Nohr and others. In addition, impoverished citizens may lack the resources for the maintenance of their houses, resulting in the deterioration of housing. The inability to maintain long-term homes can enhance levels of mental distress.
3. The Impact of Stigma. A study by Laura Nohr and others indicates that, in Cuba, there is a high prevalence of stigma surrounding mental health. Yet, despite this stigma, study participants showed a willingness to seek out professional assistance for mental health conditions. The reasoning behind this is that in Cuba mental illness is not perceived as a factor that may jeopardize one’s social status. And, in Cuba, mental illness is generally not considered a risk factor for poverty. Regardless, prejudice toward those who seek treatment remains an issue to address in order to further increase the utilization of mental health care services. 
4. Cuba Prioritizes Early Interventions. Early diagnosis and intervention for the onset of mental health issues stand as a priority in Cuba, according to a study by Ruiz and Linz. From birth, each Cuban citizen holds the right to free and accessible mental and general health care diagnosis, care and evaluation services by professional health care specialists. Moreover, medical and psychological evaluations are routine and required throughout a Cuban’s lifetime to facilitate the early identification of symptoms.
5. Support for People with Mental Health Diagnoses. Community and labor institutions in Cuba provide assistance to those undergoing mental health or medical treatment to enable them to maintain their education progress and employment. The institutions conduct evaluations of an individual’s capabilities, training, work experience and environment in order to assign them to a particular job while undergoing treatment. As such,  while undergoing treatment, those with mental health conditions do not need to concern themselves about shifts in their living, economic or educational situation. These potential forms of employment extend beyond manual labor according to the person’s skill set. Similarly, these institutions consider the possibility of a young person continuing their education and provide guidance and support accordingly.

With a commitment to supporting the mental health care needs of struggling Cubans and the prioritization of early interventions, mental health in Cuba can continue improving.

– Katrina Girod
Photo: Flickr

Often, places that suffer from poverty also face period poverty issues. In Spain, two in 10 women reportedly suffer from period poverty. Fortunately, there are also people fighting against it, with Spain becoming the first European country to introduce menstrual leave at the beginning of 2023.

What is Period Poverty?

Menstruation is stigmatized and most women have inadequate access to health and hygiene services during their periods. As a result, the term “period poverty” emerged to describe the lack of access to menstrual products, menstrual education and sanitation.

In What Ways Does Period Poverty Affect Women?

Period poverty can affect women in a variety of ways.  Research shows that lack of access to affordable supplies has a negative impact on mental health. Similarly, women and girls face medical risks such as urinary and genital tract infections and toxic shock syndrome from wearing pads or tampons longer than the recommended time to cut expenses. Not having sufficient and appropriate means of access may further prevent people from attending school and engaging in the workforce as they fear leakage and public ridicule. In the long term, this can have a negative impact on the economic situation of women and girls.

How Does Spain Tackle Period Poverty?

Period poverty is not solely a phenomenon of the Global South. Women and girls in Spain report that up to 39.9% of them suffer from lifelong period poverty. To a large extent, period poverty in Spain particularly affects socioeconomically disadvantaged people, migrant groups and non-binary or trans-menstruating people. The Spanish government initiated a series of progressive legislative changes that are considered major steps in the fight against period poverty. In addition, several nongovernmental organizations are operating to bring the issue into the mainstream and advocate for women in precarious circumstances.

Tax Reduction

Previously, the Spanish government taxed menstrual products as “luxury goods” at a rate of 10%. As of September 2022, however, this has changed with a reduction in the tax rate to 4% and the renewed status of period products as “essential goods.” This change not only provides financial relief for women but also recognizes their needs. Though this tax cut is a decisive step toward ending period poverty in Spain, menstrual products are still not readily available for everyone.

Menstrual Leave Policy

In February 2023, Spain became the first European country to grant women the right to paid menstrual leave. In this way, the government addressed pain related to menstruation such as cramps, nausea or dizziness, which affects more than half of all menstruating women. Thus, with a medical certificate, they have the option of taking up to three days of paid leave, which can be extended to five days according to the severity of their pain.

NGO Power

The organization, Rezero, launched a project called “New Period” in Catalonia to fight period poverty in Spain. They pioneered the first network of menstruation-friendly toilets in the city of Barcelona with 100 contact points and additionally focused on the frequently neglected practice of including menstruation in the curriculum of Spanish schools. Moreover, Rezero prioritizes sustainability to the extent that its campaign promotes the purchase of reusable products through a directory of local and sustainable brands. Organizations such as Rezero ultimately show that menstrual equity is indeed possible.

Going Forward

Spain’s commitment to addressing period poverty paves the way for improved and more egalitarian living conditions for Spanish women and girls. While the achievements to date are important milestones, period poverty remains a complex problem. Moving forward, ongoing trends suggest that it is essential to achieve proficient levels of menstrual education and the free distribution of period products to ensure menstrual health in Spain.

– Miriam Schuller
Photo: Pixabay

Music is a universal and abiding pastime for a reason. It is much more than an added pleasure; many agree that it has the power to transform lives. In 1975, Venezuelan Dr. José Antonio Abreu observed that music can dramatically change the lives of impoverished children. He founded El Sistema, a music education program that teaches orchestral instruments to under-resourced children.

El Sistema-style programs have been adopted in the Dominican Republic and Colombia by the NGO Music for Development to harness the power of music and lift children out of poverty. Similarly, the NGO Playing For Change Foundation creates music programs to spur social change. These organizations explore music’s positive effect on poverty and its immense power to heal and connect the world.

The Science

Children who enter or are born into poverty are more likely to have suffered from multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACE). In fact, poverty itself counts as an ACE. Many people have witnessed violence, lost parents and been hungry or homeless. Exposure to the rhythmicity and expression of music could help these children heal. Simply listening to music brings psychological benefits. A 2020 National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health study monitored brain waves and found that listening to music reduces psychological stress by a “medium-to-large margin.” Many preceding studies support this finding.

Playing music also improves cognitive function by stimulating all regions of the brain. Listening and playing music can protect the brain from degradation due to trauma and reactivate lost pathways. A study from Northwestern University’s Auditory Neuroscience Lab found evidence for enhanced “neural processing” in children with musical instrument training than those without making music is also often a social event – the cognition stimulated when a person socializes improves memory and enhances life quality. Brain cognition suffers when children are traumatized and music education can improve brain function with benefits that last a lifetime.

Building Community

The idea that music “breaks down barriers” is the backbone of Playing For Change. In addition to opening music schools in 19 countries, Playing For Change scouts and funds emerging musicians from under-resourced backgrounds. Connecting these musicians to a global audience demonstrates music’s positive effects on poverty by channeling donations directly to poor communities. Further, playing music together increases a sense of belonging. This provides another immeasurable benefit to people in poor communities. A voice student Anu Shakya said that the largest impact music school had on her was the “family” she found there: music puts people into communion both locally and globally.

Peer Responsibility

Music programs mobilize the power of learning an instrument to foster this sense of responsibility. Teaching children to play in an orchestra holds them accountable to each other. This accountability is a further indication of music’s positive effect on poverty. To perform for dignitaries, the children must practice and show up to rehearsal. This program encourages even the youngest children to take on leadership roles, teaching them teamwork and peer-to-peer responsibility.

Issahaku Yussif is a student at the Bizung School of Music and Dance in Ghana, a Playing For Change Music School. In a video on Playing For Change’s website, he affirms the sense of responsibility gained from learning music: “Music helped me with so much. It helped me with my academics… Music teaches people to be morally upright.” Stories like this suggest that learning music can change a child’s academic and emotional life for the better.

Cultural Pride

While universal, music taps into a specific place’s cultural roots. Anu Shakya went from being a student to a vocal mentor at the Musica Music School in Kathmandu, Nepal. She got to travel the world singing and spreading Nepali music. As a result, she says her “life changed” for the better, and she felt a strong sense of pride in being Nepali. This experience is commonly felt when people are able to master and celebrate their art form with the world. Music’s positive effects on poverty include the celebration of people and communities. Learning indigenous instruments keeps cultures alive, affirming a community’s beauty.

Looking Ahead

By investing in local music programs, the NGOs Music for Development and Playing For Change deploy a multi-pronged attack on poverty. Music’s positive effects on poverty include psychological healing, encouraging a sense of peer responsibility, bringing people into harmony with each other and cultivating a transformative sense of cultural pride.

– Caroline Crider
Photo: Flickr