The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Clinton County picked for national recession study

Area picked as a place to research the mental toll of economy on people.

Economic crisis taking mental toll on women

Man, 68, drowns at Caesar Creek Lake
5/26/12
Water rescues prompt warning from health officials
5/25/12
Beach Waterpark sued for failure to deliver
5/25/12
Raleigh Trammell’s defense opens in felony trial
5/25/12
UD to move satellite campus to Dublin
5/25/12
> More headlines

By Jessica Wehrman, Staff Writer Updated 9:32 PM Thursday, April 30, 2009

WASHINGTON — When the American Psychiatric Association went looking for a community hard hit by the economic recession, they turned to Clinton County to get a sense of how bad the recession was taking a toll.

They could’ve simply talked to Chris Parks to get a sense of the anxiety running through the county.

Parks, 42, of Lynchburg is a substitute teacher studying to become a respiratory therapist. Nearly two weeks ago, her husband, Curtis, was laid off at ABX Air. It was the culmination of months of anxiety for the couple.

“One minute I’m freaking out and the next minute I’m OK,” said Parks, who credits her family and her church with helping her pull through months of stress.

But amid all this anxiety she went to her mailbox one day and found someone had anonymously mailed her family $100 and a nice note offering emotional support.

Joe Locala, president of the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association, said such support — particularly the emotional support — may be key to helping struggling families weather an economic maelstrom.

“Often, people tend to isolate themselves when they’re stressed,” he said. “They’re worried that they’ll be a burden to their families if they tell them they’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed.”

But support from family and friends is often a fantastic coping mechanism. So is taking time for oneself, said Nada Stotland, president of the APA, which conducted the national survey and the survey of Clinton County.

She said women feeling stressed often are tempted to forget to take care of themselves.

“This is the time to invest in foods that are healthy for your families, get exercise, get sleep,” she said. “You need to be strong at this time.”

And if stress continues — particularly if it lasts more than two weeks, affects the ability to sleep or family relationships — Locala suggests talking to a professional. He said he was heartened to find the survey revealed 80 percent of women polled believed it was a sign of strength to seek professional help if necessary.

Parks has focused on gratitude. She’s happy her children are coping and healthy, and she’s gotten closer to her husband during a difficult time.

She’s also comforted by the support she has from her church.

“I know I’m surrounded with their prayers,” she said.

Share this article