Download the Say it out loud press release on mental health and the economy [PDF]

Mental Health and the Economy Facts

• “One in five U.S. workers says the recession is causing them mental health problems, as they battle anxiety and fear over the potential loss of their jobs, new research shows. Among 1,068 employed adults surveyed, 215 said the economic situation has had a negative impact on their mental health, while another 359 workers said their on-the-job stress level has increased. The survey was conducted online for employment agency Adecco USA from February 25-27. (Reuters, March 12, 2009)
• “Historically, research shows, rates of depression and suicide tend to climb during times of economic tumult. In an article published in 2005 by Cambridge University Press, researchers compared suicide data in Australia from January 1968 through August 2002 with economic problems such as unemployment and mortgage interest rates. The study found that economic trends are closely associated with suicide risk, with men showing a heightened risk of suicide in the face of economic adversity.” (USA Today, May 14, 2008)
• “As the economy worsens, American’s stress level is on the rise. Eighty percent of Americans said in a September survey that the economy is a significant source of stress, up from 66 percent in April. The top stressors for Americans: money (81%), the economy (80%), work (67%), and health problems affecting the family (67%), according to surveys by the American Psychological Association (APA). (WebMD Health News, October 8, 2008)
• “(Kaiser Permanente Medical Center West Los Angeles) recently reported a jump of 400 percent in the number of people seeking mental health help to cope with financial worries.” (Vitabeat, January 26, 2009)
• “Crisis hot lines around the country have reported recent increases of people concerned about their finances. ComPsych, the largest provider of employee assistance programs, said calls from people asking for help because of stress from financial problems jumped 21 percent in July 2008, from a year earlier. ValueOptions, which also runs employee assistance programs, said people calling to ask for help with financial problems have jumped 89 percent.” (ABC News, October, 7, 2008)
• “The downturn has renewed interest in research related to the psychological effects of financial stressors, particularly unemployment. Recent reports have linked job displacement and unemployment to lower rates of participation in social activities (Brand & Burgard, 2008), lower levels of mental health (Cassidy & Wright, 2008; Scutella & Wooden, 2008), and heavy drinking (Mossakowski, 2008).” (Social Work Today, March/April 2009, Vol. 9, No. 2, pg. 12)
• Clinical psychologists are reporting that more than 75 percent of their patients want to discuss their dismal circumstances and bad feelings due to the economy (Pennlive.com, March 29, 2009)