New research in the United States and Europe has found that economic conditions directly affect the quality of mental health. Due to the global financial crisis, mental health is deteriorating at an alarming rate.

In any given year, 7% of Americans suffer from a mood disorder. When economic times are tough, that number increases sharply. Job losses add to financial stress and increase rates of divorce.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline says it's receiving 35% more calls compared with last year--roughly 13,000 more calls per month. And according to the Los Angeles Times, calls to the busiest suicide hotline in Los Angeles have increased by 60% over the past year. It's estimated that people with mood disorders are 12 to 20 times more likely to commit suicide than those without a mood disorder.
 
 
The economic crisis is devastating the quality of mental health worldwide, and many experts predict global financial markets will get worse before they get better.   So when cutting down on expenses, people should not cut out psychotherapy.  In fact, seeking therapy during such a time is essential to your well-being and might help you stay positive and productive to weather the storm.

   When an eating disorder patient cannot sustain a medically safe weight, and outpatient treatment is not enough, the preferred option is a residential eating disorder program.  Residential treatment centers seem to be popping up  all over the country.   Part of the reason for this upsurge of treatment centers is that they are very lucrative, the average fee for a month's stay in one of these centers is $30,000.  If you are lucky enough to have an insurance that will cover some of this cost, the insurance company will still try to nickel and dime you along way.  Insurance companies have outright refused to pay for treatment past a certain duration of stay, at which point the patient can either pick up the difference out of pocket or they can go home, whether they have fully "recovered" or not. 

 

   And what happens then is the patient immeditely returned to the environment in which the eating disorder thrived, and the chances of relapse are high.  But here's the catch, there really isn't a better option.  Or is there?  One option is to hire a therapist and treatment team to provide around the clock care and supervision to the patient.  This may be a less expensive way in the long run and could offer other benefits, like teaching the patient to recover in the environment in which she will eventually have to live.

 

Think that teens are not affected by the economic downturn?  Think again.  Teens are quick to perceive the stress and concern of their parents over finances, but are rarely let into the discussion about how to resolve it.  Teens are left to wonder why their parents feel bad, worry about what might happen to them, or may feel somewhat responsible, like yet another expense for their parents.  In fact, less money in the family account can drastically affect the outcome of the teen's future.  Being only a few years away from colege, it could impact the family's ability to afford a college education. or limit the type of education the teen can receive.  The best thing parents can do is talk to their teens realistically about what is going on and include them in the discussions about financial responsibility and planning. Not only will it appease their anxiety, but they may have some great ideas for the family and they may come out of this crisis a smarter consumer.

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