I am in your boat transientsoul. It (poverty) I think, contributes to mental illness. I think it causes it too. My husband, son & I live off of $300 a month and FS benefits of around$350. We get our money from my husbands odd jobs when hes not sick. We dont have cable or a comp and my internet is on my cell phone which is due for turn off Wendsday. Our house is in very bad shape and has a mold problem. I dont really mind, I grew up dirt poor. As long as there is food & shelter & love, I dont feel poor. I just get sad when my son says he wants to go to the fair or something & I know theres no way we have the money. The saddest part is, he knows it, too.