KAUZ-TV: NewsChannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TXEconomy Hurts More Than Texomans' Wallets

Economy Hurts More Than Texomans' Wallets

The economy has been on everybody's mind.  Many Texomans are stressed out due to the bad economy and rising unemployment. That stress is causing people a lot of physical and mental illness.

The Community Health Center of Wichita Falls has seen a 23 percent increase in patient load since the recession began in 2007. That works out to nearly 4000 more patients. Brett Moyer, Community Relations Coordinator for the center, attributes some of that increase to the tough economic times.

"A lot of patients have to make very difficult decisions between paying the electric bill or taking that sick child in for a visit," said Moyer.  This can make the situation worse.

People who don't see the doctor can get even sicker and that brings costs up for everyone.  And, stress can cause a number of physical illnesses. The whole situation can begin to spiral.

Physical illness isn't the only concern during stressful times. Lynn Hartje, Director of Behavioral Health Services for the Helen Farabee Regional Center, says prolonged stress erodes people's ability to cope with life's problems.  The stigma of mental health illnesses adds to people's frustration as well.

The Community Health Center provides services on a sliding scale basis. They also treat the uninsured and the underinsured. Moyer stressed that people should not avoid seeking treatment due to lack of money.