Gestor bibliográfico Crisis y Salud

Economic crises such as the one Europe has been going through since 2007, have a considerable impact on society as a whole, not only on the financial system. While the effects of an unstable economic context on population mental health and well-being tend be long-term effects, there are a number of legacies that have already been observed. Evolving and growing-up in a society where the media regularly relay information about rising unemployment, poverty and social insecurity, population uprising against further cuts in budgets, do not provide the conditions necessary to optimise personal and professional development, self-esteem and accomplishment. Together with the rising budget cuts a rising prevalence in psychiatric illness is being observed, including depression as well as an increasing number of suicides. Alcohol consumption and related disorders as well as illicit drug use are also on the rise with the associated consequences of such harmful behaviours impacting on the users as well as on their social surroundings, i.e. family, friends, colleagues, communities, etc. At the same time, health services including mental health services are being cut back as part of government austerity programs. Budget cuts affect psychiatric services adversely just when economic stressors are raising the levels of need and demand in affected populations.