Energy poverty and mental health: parallel components of deprivation

Using a large and original survey precisely measuring mental disorders and energy deprivation, this paper assesses the impact of fuel poverty on mental health. Being fuel poor decreases the mental health score by 6.3 points out of 100. Energy deprivation affects individuals unequally depending on whether they appear vulnerable in terms of health. Finally, we explore the different channels through which mental health is affected, whether it be pathological disorders or the degradation of social health. Fuel poverty increases the depression score by 5.35 points, the anxiety score by 6.48 points, and decreases the social health score by 6.82 points.