作为一名精神卫生研究员，我开始认为这种经济衰退会威胁到人口的健康。在我的研究中，我遇到了我的几个朋友和家人，抱怨经济危机，支付普通账单的困难，生活质量的下降和一般福祉。

在那些失业并花了很长时间才能重返劳动力市场的人中，这尤其如此。我感到不得不利用自己的研究技能来帮助提高人们对经济衰退对心理健康的影响的知识。

The economic recession that started in 2008-2009, made countries, with already weak economies (high public deficits and debts), powerless in face of their foreign debt. This was the case of Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Spain who had to undergo in structural adjustments to reduce public spending.

健康和well-being of people are shaped by their day-to-day living conditions; thus, recessionary changes like job loss, financial strain, debts and job-related problems may influence the extent of vulnerability to mental health problems that individuals face.

健康和well-being of people are shaped by their day-to-day living conditions; thus, recessionary changes like job loss, financial strain, debts and job-related problems may influence the extent of vulnerability to mental health problems that individuals face.

The effects may be especially important since, even before the recession, health-related problems were already common and the main cause of disability and premature death in Europe.

At the beginning of this research only few studies to our knowledge had completed a systematic review of evidence related to associations between mental health and the economic recession factors. To gather as much evidence possible about the effects of the economic recession on mental health and the most vulnerable groups was therefore imperative.

How does the recession affect mental health?

根据可用文献，我们可以期望经济衰退时期可能会增加焦虑和抑郁症。为了应对这种社会心理压力，人们可能会转向滥用药物，例如喝酒。

Although there are reports of growing suicidal ideation in countries facing recession, such evidence is still very limited because suicidal behavior is very complex and depends on many factors ranging from cultural background to individual factors.

Vulnerability during economic recession

There are some key factors that seem to make people more vulnerable to the effects of recessions. These are being unemployed, having a precarious work situation, facing debts and economic strain, and having a pre-existing mental disorder.

There is also evidence that children and young adults may also become vulnerable, especially those living in unemployed households and in economic deprivation.

What are the implications and is there any further research needed?

我们发现国家之间在与经济衰退时期有关的心理健康结果方面存在特定差异。

我们发现国家之间在与经济衰退时期有关的心理健康结果方面存在特定差异。不同的社会经济背景和反应政策可能会影响人们面临的危险因素的程度以及心理压力的程度。进一步的研究应集中于哪些因素可以缓解经济衰退对心理健康的影响。

同样值得注意的是，缺乏经济衰退的国家的可靠研究。例如，葡萄牙就是这种情况。

Research from these countries would definitely improve our knowledge about the consequences of the recession on mental health that is useful to balance appropriate resources to protect the health and levels of wellbeing of people.

Conclusion

This research highlights that the economic recession may increase population’s psychological distress, especially among sub-groups such as unemployed people, those facing debts and economic deprivation, and their children.

我们希望我们的研究结果可以帮助改善明智的支持措施，以减轻衰退对心理健康的影响并帮助保护最脆弱的人。