Inequalities in mental health: Models and explanations

There is a widely held, and influential view, that there is a causal relati onship between mental ill-health and social deprivation. This article discu sses these views from genetic and sociological perspectives. The main thrus t of the argument is that consideration of these various views develops und erstanding of the similarities and differences between sociological and med ical approaches to mental illness. Acknowledging the importance of all thes e views requires an unprecedented integration of medical and sociological a pproaches to mental illness.