economy
Home Foreclosures Linked to Major Depression
The news of home foreclosures has been occupying much of the airwaves as individuals throughout the country have either lost jobs or found they really couldn’t afford the house they wanted so badly. While this has a negative financial impact, it also has shown to affect their mental health.
Science Daily recently issued a release citing a study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine which found nearly half of people studied while enduring foreclosure reported depressive symptoms. Another 37 percent met the screening criteria for major depression.
“The foreclosure crisis is also a health crisis,” said lead author Craig E. Pollack, MD, MHS, who conducted the research while working as an internist and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar at Penn. “We need to do more to ensure that if people lose their homes, they don’t also lose their health.”
Learn more about Home Foreclosures Linked to Major Depression
Economic Crisis Puts Pressure on Women’s Mental Health
The state of the global economy seems to be on everyone’s mind and for some, it is taking a health toll. According to a UPI report, the majority of U.S. women polled in a recent survey report that the sagging economy is having a negative impact on their mental health.
The American Psychiatric Association recently conducted a survey that examined the impact of the economic crisis on the mental well-being of women throughout the nation, as well as in Clinton Country, Ohio. This particular community has been hit hard with the recent elimination of 5,000 jobs by air freight company DHL.
Learn more about Economic Crisis Puts Pressure on Women’s Mental Health
Worsening Economy Likely to Increase Problems for Borderline Alcohol or Prescription Drug Users and Abusers
By Suzanne Kane
Economic woes threaten to derail our nation’s financial stability, but that’s not the only potential negative impact. As Americans face more and more economic uncertainty, and the stress that goes along with it, the greater the temptation to succumb to overuse and abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs. For individuals who are already borderline for alcohol and/or prescription drug use, the more the economy sinks, the more likely they are to be pushed over the line.
Factors that impact borderline alcohol or prescription drug users/abusers
If you’re not able to provide for yourself or your family, this leads to feelings of inadequacy – as a person, husband, father, wife, mother, or sibling. Self esteem plummets as a result of other financial considerations as well, such as bankruptcy, foreclosure, illness and divorce. If you are still employed, you may be constantly in fear of being the next one let go. Any and all of these factors, which are hard enough for a completely stable individual, are increasingly difficult for the borderline alcoholic or prescription drug user or abuser. In fact, the inability to face their troubles may push them over the edge, reaching for the bottle of liquor and or prescription drugs.
Connect with an Elements Recovery Adviser
newsletter
