Staggering Health Effects of the Recession

Tomorrow, we will highlight on Crosscurrents some people who have found the silver lining in their unemployment. They are sometimes termed the "funemployed," and include both people who have decided to take time off from regular work, and those who have found new career paths thanks to being laid off.

But with California's unemployment rate at 11.6%, almost 2% points higher than the national average, it is clear that there are many people facing desperate times.

(You can track the unemployment numbers by state and compare to the national average on this handy google chart of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

A few days ago, the American Psychological Association reported a 25% increase in the amount of calls to their suicide prevention hotline, and attribute the spike to economic distress. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says it will provide more than $1 million in additional money to suicide crisis centers to compensate for the increase demand of their services.

What have you heard or experienced when it comes to the health effects of the recession? Share your story or thoughts with us, at 415-264-7106, or by email at news@kalw.org.