IMPACT OF ECONOMIC RECESSION ON MENTAL HEALTH OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN

Abstract

Parents have the responsibilities of providing various needs for their families but are
often hit with the effect of economic recession which eventually affects welfare of their
children. In recent times, many parents have found it difficult to pay school fees of their
children, hospital bills, rents and feeding their families have become problems which
have resulted to increased alcoholism, depression, suicide bid, increased death rate;
cognitive, emotional and physical development deficit in children. The paper examined
the historical perspective of economic recession both universally and in Nigeria, the
concept of economic recession and mental health, causes and effect of economic
recession, determinants of mental health and effect of economic recession on mental
health. The authors recommended; provision and security of jobs, family support
programmes and debt relief programmes.