Local News Colorado doctor says financial stress, anxiety impacting mental health

It's Mental Health Awareness Week and finances are having a big impact on Coloradans' mental health. Right now, many people are feeling added stress from their financial situations because of the state of the economy.

Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, a local psychiatrist at Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, said nowadays more of her patients are feeling uncertain about their financial security and are feeling more anxious about their financial situations. For some people, it's having a negative impact on their mental health, too. She said financial anxiety is impacting every age group.

Wassenaar said the older population, hoping to retire soon, is worried about their retirement accounts. Middle-aged people and young families are worried about childcare costs, paying off student loans and bills, or buying a home. Meanwhile, adolescents are also feeling the stress that their parents feel financially.

"We know that the state of the world, and especially related to the financial situation, is impacting every single person, and it's impacting everyone a little bit differently, but overall, people are feeling a lot more anxious about their financial situation, and for some people, that's having a negative impact on their mental health," said Wassenaar.