The tough economy is getting lots of people down - literally.

Losing jobs and retirement savings has anxiety and depression symptoms soaring. The National Suicide Prevention hotline reports a 36-percent jump in calls over the past year.

Stormont-Vail West medical director Taylor Porter losing your job can mean more than just losing a paycheck. He says it shakes a person's identity, too.

The first step is acknowledging the stress, and take note of how it's affecting you. Porter says a person might notice angry outburts, increased alcohol use, or trouble sleeping. He says people know what not healthy and, if they take a step back from the situation, know that it's getting the better of them.

To keep that from happening, Porter suggests taking time for exercise, friends and activities you enjoy. He also says to keep a plan of action. He says it may get frustrating, but as long as you're making calls and updating your resume, you'll have a sense of fighting rather than being passive and beaten down.

If it does become too much, Porter says get help. A catch-22 when you lose your job, though, is that you often lose insurance. But Porter says that doesn't have to be an issue. He says many safety net clinics will offer counseling at free or reduced cost. Not only that, he says avoiding physical or mental health treatment because of lack of money can lead to greater problems - and greater cost - later on if it develops into an even more serious issue.

Health Resources
Stormont-Vail West
785-270-4600
Valeo Behavioral Health
785-273-2252
Catholic Charities
785-233-6300
Marion Clinic
785-233-8081
Shawnee Co. Health Agency
785-368-2000