Financial Coping Strategies of Mental Health Consumers: Managing Social Benefits.

Financial Coping Strategies of Mental Health Consumers: Managing Social Benefits.
Community Ment Health J. 2013 Dec 18;
Authors: Caplan MA
Abstract
Mental health consumers depend on social benefits in the forms of supplemental security income and social security disability insurance for their livelihood. Although these programs pay meager benefits, little research has been undertaken into how this population makes ends meet. Using a qualitative approach, this study asks what are the financial coping strategies of mental health consumers? Seven approaches were identified: subsidies, cost-effective shopping, budgeting, prioritizing, technology, debt management, and saving money. Results illustrate the resourcefulness of mental health consumers in managing meager social benefits and highlight the need to strengthen community mental health efforts with financial capabilities education.
PMID: 24346222 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Community Mental Health Journal - December 18, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Caplan MA Tags: Community Ment Health J Source Type: research