Summary "Economic crisis takes toll on mental health"

By Charlie Fieldman

The January 10 article "Economic Crisis Takes Toll on Mental Health" published in The Montreal Gazette written by Charlie Fidelman, is about the effects of the current economic crisis on mental health. He starts his article telling readers that only the mental health professionals will not be affected by the economic meltdown since everyone else will be and will need professional help because of it. A number of research have been done proving that a raise in problems such as anxiety, lost of self-esteem and suicides are caused by the financial crisis. Also, many mental health experts think that theft, drug use, alcohol and violence will increase.

In his article, Charlie Fidleman enumerates some examples of suicide events that may be related with the recession and of the present unemployment rate. However, the coordinator of Suicide Action Montreal does not believe that this is true because suicide rates have not yet gone up. Likewise, the author mentions a stress expert who manages the company "Work Smart Live Smart" that affirms that money will be the last cause of their troubles. In fact, a series of other problems such as mental illness, substance abuse and failed romances will affect the number of suicides before money ever will. Moreover, people who tend to complain about basic needs like sleepiness, eating or physical aches tend to be more depressed.

The author writes that it is normal that anxiety and stress will be results of the economic crisis, especially if a person gets laid off. Still, not everyone is the same and some factors such as family, friends and optimism allow each and everyone of them to get better and stay positive. The economic crisis can even lead to some good like an opportunity for change and guidance in one’s life.