The Psychological Cost of Recession and Recovery
There is growing evidence of the high psychological cost of recession, with many families facing an uncertain future due to unemployment, redundancy or reduced incomes. A recent survey by mental health charity Mind found that 10% of the 2000 people questioned had approached their GPs as a result of their economic circumstances, mainly suffering with depression. They found that men, in particular, are struggling to cope with the emotional impact of the recession. 40% of the men surveyed admitted to feeling down, with their top worries being job security, work and money. Mind says that 2.7m men in England currently have a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or stress.
The charity said even though men and women experience mental health problems in roughly equal numbers, men’s problems are much less likely to be diagnosed and receive treatment. In addition, only 29% of men would talk to friends about their problems compared with 53% of women and they were less likely to talk to their family. Men were also less likely to seek professional help. Research shows that one in seven men develop depression within six months of losing their jobs.
Mind are so concerned about the situation that they have called on the Government to produce a men’s mental health strategy and for employers to do more to help stressed male workers. As well as having a severe impact on individual well-being, stress and anxiety can have a negative effect on performance within the workplace. In October 2010 Labour MP Madeleine Moon said that in the current economic climate there was an “increased risk” of deaths and injuries, with more incidents down to fears people had about losing their jobs. Meanwhile, a new study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that time off work due to stress has risen dramatically in the past year.
When interviewed by the BBC, Paul Farmer, chief executive at Mind, noted:
The recession is clearly having a detrimental impact on the nation’s mental health, but men in particular are struggling with the emotional impact.
Being a breadwinner is something that is still crucial to the male psyche so if a man loses his job he loses a large part of his identity putting his mental wellbeing in jeopardy.
The problem is that too many men wrongly believe that admitting mental distress makes them weak and this kind of self stigma can cost lives.
Here at Borders Counselling, too, more clients are telling us about the impact of the recession on their lives, families and relationships. Stress and anxiety are becoming increasingly common, with many clients worrying about losing their jobs and homes, and what the future might hold for their families. We are also aware of the strain the recession is placing on relationships.
A recent report by Relate, The Way we Are Now*, noted that:
When it comes to the biggest strains being placed on today’s couples, almost one in five of us are very worried about the likely effects of the credit crunch on our relationship and our happiness. For 18.8 percent of people this is their biggest worry, particularly those in the groups between 25 and 54 who were the most concerned about lack of money and redundancy.
In keeping with recent news about the likely regional imbalance of the cuts in public services, the north is more worried than the south about the impact of the economy on their relationship with their partner. Respondents in Yorkshire and Humberside were the most worried about money and the threat of redundancy, while Londoners were the least worried. Meanwhile, working long hours (9.3 percent), family rows (7.3 percent), division of chores and housework (6.7 percent) and poor sex (6 percent) are other worries cited almost equally by men and women.
Similarly, the Consumer Credit Counselling Service has also noted a recent sharp rise in people seeking advice due to growing debt. The most common reasons include redundancy, wage freezes or the arrival of a new baby. Relate anticipate that as budget cuts begin to bite there will be a growing demand on advice and guidance agencies such as the CAB and Relate.
Counselling or psychotherapy can be an important part of the answer here, although practical advice and help is also essential. Organisations such as CAB can offer local practical advice to anyone affected by the issues discussed here. To find your local CAB office visit their website: Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
* A full copy of the Relate report can be downloaded from their website: Relate Report
Originally published 31st October 2010 on the Borders Counselling Blog
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