A record number of U.S. adults are anxious about their financial health, and this anxiety also is affecting their mental and physical health.
“Americans aren’t just acknowledging the importance of addressing their mental and physical health holistically -- they’re reshaping their daily lives around it,” said Dana Udall, Ph.D., vice president of behavioral health at Included Health. “More people are recognizing how deeply mental, physical and even financial health are intertwined. That’s why expanding access to high-quality, affordable care that treats the whole person is more critical than ever.”
Included Health recently surveyed 2,000 adults about the relationship among financial, physical and mental health. More than two-thirds of respondents said financial anxiety is an all-time high. Although money-related worries affect all generations, financial stress has a disproportionate impact on younger and middle-aged adults. Seventy-one percent of Gen Z, 68% of millennials and 69% of Gen X report experiencing anxiety over finances, compared to 55% of baby boomers and 31% of the silent generation.
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Seventy-six percent of Americans feel alone in managing money-related worries, and one in five reports a decline in their mental health over the past year. The cost of health care itself is a barrier to mental wellbeing, with one-third saying health care affordability has negatively affected their mental health in the past year and 29% citing it as the main obstacle to seeking professional care. Despite the need, only 14% of respondents currently are receiving therapy or counseling services. The strain is affecting daily life, with 40% having taken a mental health day. More than half of this group felt compelled to lie about the reason for their absence.
“At a time when financial stress is meaningfully impacting mental wellbeing, access to mental health services should not be another source of anxiety,” Udall said. “People deserve clear, affordable pathways to support.”
However, despite ongoing systemic challenges, most Americans are finding ways to prioritize their mental health, with 70% of respondents recognizing a strong connection between their mental and physical health. According to the data, 71% of respondents engage in physical activity at least weekly as a way to manage their mental health. Half are focusing on addressing physical needs such as getting enough sleep (48%), exercising (48%) and spending quality, in-person time with loved ones (46%) to improve mental health.
“While it’s encouraging that people are taking proactive steps to prioritize their mental health, complementing these habits with affordable mental health care services, when appropriate, that are attuned to an individual’s physical, mental, social and financial needs is what our health care system should strive for,” said Ami Parekh, M.D., J.D., chief health officer at Included Health. “Only by providing holistic care can we ensure individuals and families across the country are being cared for, especially during times of high stress.”
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Alan Goforth
Alan Goforth is a freelance writer in suburban Kansas City. In addition to freelancing for several publications, he has written a dozen books about sports and other topics.
