[NYAPRS Enews] Study: Economic Downturn Taking Toll on Americans' Mental Health

[Matt Canuteson]

Economic Downturn Taking Toll on Americans' Mental Health


New National Survey Finds Jobless Individuals Four Times as Likely to
Report Serious Problems

 

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new national survey
shows the economic downturn is taking a toll on the mental health of
Americans. Individuals who are unemployed are four times as likely as
those with jobs to report symptoms consistent with severe mental
illness. 

Americans who experienced involuntary changes in their employment
status, such as pay cuts or reduced hours, also are twice as likely to
have these symptoms, even though they are employed full time. 

The survey was conducted for Mental Health America and the National
Alliance on Mental Illness in collaboration with the Depression is Real
Coalition. The results come from telephone interviews of 1,002 adults
nationwide from September 17-20.

The release of the findings coincides with Mental Illness Awareness Week
(from October 4 to 10) and National Depression Screening Day, which
takes place this Thursday, October 8.

"This survey clearly shows that economic difficulties are placing the
public's mental health at serious risk, and we need affirmative action
to address these medical problems," said David L. Shern, Ph.D.,
president and CEO of Mental Health America. "Individuals confronting
these problems should seek help for their problems - talk to their
doctor, trusted friend or advisor or mental health professional." 

"Unemployment today stands at almost 10 percent. Nationwide, we face a
mental health crisis as well as an economic crisis," said Michael J.
Fitzpatrick, M.S.W., executive director of the National Alliance on
Mental Illness. "There is no shame in seeking help to overcome
unemployment or a medical illness. For the sake of all our loved ones,
it's important to learn to recognize symptoms of depression and other
mental illnesses. Screening helps. Talk with a doctor about any
concerns."

Other Key Findings Of The Survey:

*         Thirteen percent of unemployed individuals report that they
have thought of harming themselves which is four times more than
reported by persons with full time work. 

*         People who are unemployed are approximately six times as
likely to have difficulty meeting household expenses - 22 percent report
great difficulty paying their utilities and almost half have significant
difficulty in obtaining healthcare further compounding their situation. 

*         People who are unemployed are also twice as likely to report
concern with their mental health or use of alcohol or drugs within the
last six months than individuals working full time. 

*         Of those who have not spoken to a health professional about
these concerns, 42 percent cited cost or lack of insurance coverage as
the main reason.

*         Nearly 20 percent of the sample reported that they had
experienced a forced change (e.g. pay cuts, reduced hours) in their
employment during the last year. 

*         Although most of these individuals are employed, individuals
with a forced change in employment are twice as likely to report
symptoms consistent with severe mental illness than would be expected.
They are also five times more likely to report feeling hopeless most or
all of the time than individuals who hadn't experienced a forced change.


 

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/economic-downturn-taking-toll-on
-americans-mental-health-63591027.html

 

 

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