With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.

A recent article in a Twin Cities newspaper reported that business is booming for therapists, a commonly cited reason being the downturn of the economy.

It does have a significant impact on most every aspect of our lives. It can cause us to worry about the future as well as the present. We find ourselves saying "what if?" a lot and dwelling on things that are not in our control. We can also start focusing on the negative, which fuels depression.

How can we begin to manage the worry and prevent it from worsening depression? First of all, what are the things that we can and cannot change? Try to critically examine what you can and cannot change. Accepting this can make a world of difference. Then move on to use your energy on the things you can change. If you get stuck, ask for help. Asking for help takes courage, but is the first step in getting better.

Getting help can be a challenge. Access to mental health providers can be limited. The cost to see a mental health provider, even if you have insurance, may contribute to financial burden. Look at other resources for getting support such as your primary care physician, school, church or employee assistance.

You can also call your community mental health center or county social services office for local resources. Of course, some of these resources will not be able to provide medication, but just talking and knowing someone is listening can be extremely helpful.

Please let us know if you're seeing this trend and have any tips. Thanks.

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