Economic turmoil can cause a whole array of negative health effects – both physical and mental. Everyone deals with economic struggles differently. Dealing with these troubles can add tremendous stress, which increases the risk for developing depression, substance abuse, anxiety or compulsive behaviors such as over-eating and excessive gambling or spending.

It is important to be aware of signs that financial issues may be adversely affecting your emotional or mental well-being. These signs can include persistent sadness, excessive anxiety, lack of sleep/constant fatigue, excessive irritability/anger, difficulty staying focused, and not being able to function well at work, school or home. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms – you are not alone! These signs are very common reactions to increased stress.

Learning to cope is a constructive way to deal with stressful symptoms. Coping techniques include:

• Trying to keep things in perspective – recognizing the positive aspects in life can help retain hope for the future.
• Strengthening connections with family members and friends who can provide support.
• Engaging in activities that relieve stress and anxiety – such as physical exercise, hobbies and sports.
• Developing new skills for employment that can provide a means of coping and directly addressing financial difficulties.
• Taking charge of your environment – if you’re bothered by media coverage or conversations about the current economy, change channels, turn the page or excuse yourself from the conversation.

We can’t change what comes at us, but we CAN change the way we react to it. If you can find good ways to respond to stress you will be able to deal with challenges better.

Tips to protect your mental health:

• Connect with someone
• Get out of the house
• Do things for yourself
• Eat healthy
• Exercise
• Maintain a normal sleep schedule
• Relax, meditate, pray
• Get active – bike, go for a walk, swim
• Break tasks down into little goals
• Try to take a long view, realizing that things over time will get better.
• Allow others to help you
• Look for ways you can help others
• Remember natural mood lifters, such as sunlight and foods high in antioxidants, such as dark chocolate, vegetables and fruits
• Turn negatives into positives
• Seek support

Coping techniques may ease some stressful symptoms, but some problems can seem too overwhelming to handle, and that’s when it is time to seek additional help to get through the tough times. There are many people and services available to help you do just that. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a resource to help individuals identify and cope with stressful situations stemming from the economy .

Northern Lakes Community Mental Health is mandated to serve these priority populations: individuals with severe mental illness, children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance, persons with developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services for people enrolled in Medicaid. How to access care at Northern Lakes Community Mental Health.

The following 2008 survey was funded by a grant from HRSA and gives us specific detail on mental health needs in our community. (The Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is part of the federal Department of Health & Human Services.)

Community Needs Assessment Summary (adobe pdf)