Inflation in America is at an all-time high, impacting everyone, with the hardest hit populations belonging to the middle and lower socioeconomic classes.
There have been many studies regarding the correlation between poverty and mental health, as well as studies examining general economic hardships’ impact on well-being.
Here we will look at some very revealing surveys indicating how Americans are rating their mental health in relation to the current economy, what type of mental health issues may materialize, and how one might find support in these difficult economic times.
How Americans are Being Impacted by the Current Economy
The following statistics are from a survey conducted in May of 2022, consisting of 5,000 Americans respondents, executed by Lifeworks, a digital and in-person human resource solutions-focused company. “Twenty percent of Americans are unable to meet basic needs due to inflation. Of that 20%, respondents report a mental health score 16 points below the national average. Fifteen percent of respondents indicate they are uncertain whether their households will be secure next year, and 48% of people have cut back on their spending.” (MacDonald, 2022)
These statistics indicate a significant portion of the American population is teetering between poverty, financial instability, or potentially, entering a lower economic class. Just as people are starting to rejoin their communities and establish a sense of normalcy post-pandemic, new stressors have arisen due to significant inflation increases.
The correlation between economic hardship and mental health
There has been a lot of research indicating the direct correlation between poverty and mental health. In the Journal of Psychiatric Times, doctors conclude, “poverty is one of the most significant social determinants of health and mental health. Poverty in adulthood is linked to depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, psychological distress, and suicide.” (Kevin Simon MD, 2018)
Economic instability typically has a domino effect on people’s circumstances. For example, someone who has been laid off might need to relocate, their children may need to switch schools, their health insurance may be impacted, they may lose the support of their community, and so on. Any type of change can be stressful, even positive change, therefore the impact of multiple changes caused by financial insecurity can profoundly affect someone’s psyche.
The hierarchy of human needs
Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist whose theories became popularized during the mid-century. One of those theories was the hierarchy of human needs, which Maslow believed to be relatively universal among most cultures. Just like the food pyramid, his hierarchy is often demonstrated in a pyramid format with the most essential human needs on the bottom requiring satisfaction, prior to other needs being fully met.
Physiological needs are listed at the bottom of the pyramid, suggesting they are of the greatest importance. Such needs include water, food, shelter, clothing, sleep, and reproduction. The next most important human need is safety. Safety includes personal safety, shelter, employment, health, and resources. Above these two core needs resides love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
If your most basic needs can not be met, such as food and shelter, this theory suggests feeling loved, belonging to a community, self-respect, and self-actualization, will all be negatively impacted or even unattainable. This may then result in feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety.
What to do about your mental health if the economy is impacting you
Unfortunately, when the economy is severely impacted, social services and government-funded programs are also impacted. Though services may be stressed in your community, this doesn’t necessarily mean they lack the resources to help. Often, programs in your area work with many different agencies and therefore can help you make connections to service multiple needs.
Outside of government-funded programs and non-profit centers, there are churches, synagogues, and mosques that do a lot of interfaith work together to support one another’s communities. To find community assistance in your area, a good place to start is here: https://www.211.org or you can dial 211 to be connected to local resources.
Another option may be to talk with an online therapist as they are more affordable and don’t involve additional costs of commuting. Most counselors, therapists, and particularly social workers are well-versed in community outreach programs nationally and locally. They can provide you with educational resources in addition to supporting your mental health needs.
Conclusion
These are difficult times for a lot of people and having just survived the past two years of the pandemic, there is a lot of elevated stress throughout our communities. The good news is, many economists, including Ben Bernake, former chairman of the Federal Reserve, do not believe inflation will be as impactful as it was during the 1970s. (Bernake, 2022)
Though we cannot predict what the economy will do with 100% certainty, history has shown us that with modernization, our economy appears to recover quicker than it did during the Great Depression and in the 1970s. Let’s hope this moment in time will be fleeting and America will recover soon. In the meantime, if you need support, please reach out for assistance.
There is no shame in asking for help and please know, you are not alone.
- How to “Find a Couples Therapy Near Me”? - March 7, 2023
- Understanding Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP Therapy) - February 21, 2023
- Headspace for Students – Everything You Need to Know - February 15, 2023
