Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like the economy is going to get better anytime soon. Today it was announced that the world economy is projected to contract by 1.3 per cent this year, which makes this the most severe recession since World War II. (Source: CBC) It was also revealed today that the Chief Financial Officer of Freddie Mac Corporation,...

Some consequences of the economic downturn are obvious, such as lost jobs and plunging stock market values. But others are more subtle but also important, as described in the article "High food prices threat to health" from the Toronto Star: There are "startling discrepancies" in the cost of basic, healthy food at grocery stores across Canada, according...

Has someone you know lost their home to foreclosure? Have you? The psychological effects can be devastating. The mortgage crisis and related stress have seen an increase in symptoms ranging from anxiety and depression to the extreme of suicide. USA Today relates the heart-wrenching story of Oregon residents Raymond and Deanna Donaca. The couple...

When the Optimist Club gets pessimistic, you know times are tough. The Associated Press reports that an Optimist Club meeting in Gilbert, Arizona, started off positive enough – members discussed service projects and enthused over each other’s accomplishments.  But then the conversation turned to the war in Iraq, expensive gasoline, food prices,...

After meeting the more urgent physical needs (like providing food, water, shelter, and medical care), the person might be ready to talk about his or her trauma. Below we give you some examples on how to help someone deal with the psychological impact of the crisis. What might be the most important thing you can do is give the individual the opportunity...

Disbelief and anger flood our minds and hearts as news of senseless acts of murder settles into our consciousness. We grapple to understand… and there are no answers. A broken mind has taken its own pain and inflicted it on many more. The pain multiplies and we collectively stagger under the weight. In the face of such pain, the living...