A colleague once told me that a crisis is when adults do not know what to do about a problem. She told me this in 2014 when we were trying to help youth in foster care to get long-term mental health care in a residential treatment facility. He was in foster care because his mother did not have the financial resources to care for her children. Despite the local government stepping in to “bailout” the family by providing some financial education, vouchers, and resources, the mom ultimately lost custody of her children and control of her family’s destiny. It might not feel like it, but the truth is the United States in the midst of a crisis right now—a financial crisis.
Our Current Financial Crisis
Using my colleague’s definition of crisis above, this means adults do not know what to do about the financial predicament the country is experiencing. Did you know that the U.S. entered a recession on February 20, 2020? The National Bureau of Economic Research’s Business Cycle Dating Committee, responsible for examining the economy’s peaks and intricacies, reported this recession on June 8, 2020; though, it’s not clear and obvious from seeing the news.
Try typing “U.S. recession” in your favorite search engine. At the time of this writing, most of the results are dated more than three weeks ago. It is possible that media outlets do not want the public to worry about it. Also, it is depressing to read about a financial crisis in the midst of a health pandemic. However, ignoring the problems doesn’t make them go away. Getting the support you need in desperate times like this is why mental health and wellness services are vital.
What You Need to Absolutely Need to Know
Health insurance is important, and you may need a new strategy. Healthcare costs continue to rise year after year. When I started working for myself in 2016, Obamacare was a blessing. It was difficult to find health insurance at the time, and because of a then chronic health condition, I needed to be smart about how I allocated my financial resources. I didn’t want to be stuck. I didn’t wish to risk not working and not seeing a doctor— this would have made my life stressful and unmanageable, and I wouldn’t wish that on you. When you need emotional support to get through a tough time, definitely let us know or call 855.325.3909.
Early on, I adopted a new set of beliefs about healthcare. I decided that having a quality health insurance plan was worth my financial resources and that by investing in my health insurance, I was investing in myself.
For you, it may be as simple as allocating a little more money to your flexible spending account (FSA). It may also require that you start to consider the pros of having a health savings account (HSA). While the COVID-19 vaccine research looks promising, it will not translate to immediate results. The numbers of persons contracting the coronavirus may continue to rise for an unspecified period of time steadily, and this could affect you and your loved ones. You want to have a healthcare strategy that saves you money, gives you access to quality healthcare providers, and gives you peace of mind.
Reach Out to A Fresh Start Therapy Today
Let us know if you need help developing your plan by calling A Fresh Start Therapy today at 855.325.3909. Having one can make a difference in your overall mental health and financial well-being. It’s an excellent way to not only make it through the current financial crisis but also lay the foundation for future security and stability.
