Cash Transfers Improve the Mental Health and Well-being of Youth: Evidence from the Kenyan CashTransfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Abstract

Approximately half of all mental health disorders begin by age 14, and three-quarters by age 24 (Kessler et al., 2005). Among adolescents, depression is one of the leading contributors to morbidity, while suicide and interpersonal violence are among the leading causes of mortality (World Health Organization [WHO], 2012). Young people with depression are at increased risk of educational under - achievement and unemployment, later anxiety disorders, and attempted suicide (Fergusson and Woodward, 2002). Family well-being, strong community ties, and access to youth-friendly social services are believed to be protective of mental well-being, while poverty or economic insecurity, violence, and being orphaned are important risk factors for depression and poor mental health (Morgan et al., 2008; WHO 2004; Cluver, Gardner and Operario, 2007). Mental ill-health also reinforces poverty through decreased productivity and loss of earnings, increased health expenditures, and social stigma (see Figure below) (Lund et al., 2010). Since the evidence on the effects of poverty-alleviation programmes on mental health have been inconclusive, there is a need for research on specific poverty-alleviation interventions for vulnerable groups who are more at risk for poor mental well-being (Lund et al., 2011).