Uncle Sam: Psychiatrist

How’s the recession treating you? Stressed? Suicidal? Health at risk? No problem your government has the answers … online!

The Department of Health and Human Services has a new online guide called “Getting Through Tough Economic Times.” Here are some samples from the website:

Possible Health Risks
Economic turmoil (e.g., increased unemployment, foreclosures, loss of investments and other financial distress) can result in a whole host of negative health effects - both physical and mental. It can be particularly devastating to your emotional and mental well-being. Although each of us is affected differently by economic troubles, these problems can add tremendous stress, which in turn can substantially increase the risk for developing such problems as:
   Depression
   Anxiety
   Compulsive Behaviors (over-eating, excessive gambling, spending, etc.)
   Substance Abuse
Warning Signs
It is important to be aware of signs that financial problems may be adversely affecting your emotional or mental well being --or that of someone you care about. These signs include:
   Persistent Sadness/Crying
   Excessive Anxiety
   Lack of Sleep/Constant Fatigue
   Excessive Irritability/Anger
   Increased drinking
   Illicit drug use, including misuse of medications
   Difficulty paying attention or staying focused
   Apathy - not caring about things that are usually important to you
Not being able to function as well at work, school or home.

Here are the proposed solutions (getting a job or starting a business are not among them):

There are many other places where you can turn for guidance and support in dealing with the financial problems affecting you or someone you care about. These resources exist at the federal, state and community level and can be found through many sources such as:
   Federal and state government
   Civic associations
   Spiritual groups
Other sources such as the government services section of a phone book.

I have another idea. I think a whole bunch of people in the country would feel a whole lot better if we fired every member of our legislative and executive branches.

Real mental health in America starts with the congressional elections of 2010 and reaches its apex in 2012 when Americans will have a chance to finally end all of this nonsense.