Exploring Impacts of the Alberta Economic Downturn on Mental Health
A Social Ecological Perspective
In 2015 oil prices plunged in Alberta resulting in significantly higher unemployment rates (Statista, 2019), which in part contributed to increased opioid related deaths (Alberta Government, 2018), and a substantial increase in suicide rates (CBC, 2015) in Alberta.
The Social Ecological Model provides a holistic view of how an individual’s behaviour is shaped by biological, social and environmental factors (Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, 2017). As depicted in Figure 1 the multilevel model is comprised of four interconnected levels, where not one factor can explain a behaviour. The CDC (n.d.) explains that factors can either protect or perpetuate a behaviour (CDC, n.d.). A critical analysis of the Social Ecological Model for understanding the effects of the Alberta recession on Albertans’ mental health, is provided.
Figure 1. The Social Ecological Model
Centre for Disease Control Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). The Social-Ecological Model: A framework for violence prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/sem_framewrk-a.pdf
Individual level
The Centre for Disease Control (n.d.) describes the individual level of the Social Ecological Model as biological or personal history factors (i.e., age, education, income, health). As depicted in Figure 2, the Alberta economy has been experiencing significant deficits for the past four years. Though the province’s economy is not at the individual level, it does create individual factors such as unemployment, physical and mental health issues, and financial concerns. Through a systematic review of the literature, Frasuilho, Matos, Salonna, Guerreiro, Storti, Gaspar, and Caldas-de-Almeida (2016) concluded that economic recessions and factors such as unemployment, income decline, and unmanageable debts were significantly associated with poor mental wellbeing, increased rates of mental disorders, substance-related disorders, and suicidal behaviours.
Freyer-Adam, Gaertner and Tobschall (2011) explained that recessions may result in an increase in smoking and substance use, as individuals may use substances as a coping mechanism to deal with financial distress. The province of Alberta has been responding to the opioid crisis since March 2015. In October 2016 the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health began the urgent opioid response to address the increased rate of opioid related overdoses and deaths (Alberta Government, 2018). Opioid related deaths rose from 116 in 2014 to an all-time high of 569 in 2017 (Alberta Government, 2018), as seen in Table 1. When comparing Figure 2 and Table 1 there is a significant relationship between Alberta’s deficits by year, and the number of opioid related deaths by year. The conclusion can be made that as deficits increase in Alberta so do the opioid related deaths.
Alberta has also experienced higher rates of suicide since the economic downturn. In 2015 the CBC reported that suicide rates in Alberta climbed 30% as a result of mass oil patch layoffs (CBC, 2015). Newman and Bland (2007) also found that unemployed individuals have a significantly increased risk of suicidal behavior.
Figure 2. Alberta’s Road to Deficits
Financial Post. (2016). Alberta in worst recession since government began recording data in 1980s as deficit balloons to $10.9 billion. Retrieved from https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/alberta-in-worst-recession-since- government-began-recording-data-in-the-1980s-as-deficit-balloons-to-10-9-million
Table 1.
Unintentional fentanyl-related deaths in Alberta
Alberta Government. (2018). Unintentional fentanyl-related deaths in Alberta. Retrieved from https://www.alberta.ca/opioid-reports.aspx
Relationship level
The relationship level of the Social Ecological Model is described as the close relationships an individual has that might influence one’s behaviour (CDC, n.d.). Close family or friend relationships can act as protective factors for someone who is experiencing financial hardships, or mental health concerns. Having a friend or family members that can provide emotional or financial support can protect individuals from resorting to negative coping mechanisms such as substance use.
The family dynamic can also become strained when unemployment occurs. Solantaus, Leinonen and Punamaki (2004) found that economic stress can result in a deterioration in children’s mental health when family relationships or parenting quality changes (i.e., divorce caused by financial stress). Childhood can be a critical time for an individuals’ mental health development. The government of Canada (2006) noted that 70% of mental health concerns experienced by Canadians originate during childhood or adolescence. Not only can family act as a protective factor for those experiencing financial distress or mental health concerns, but it can also perpetuate mental health issues as well.
Feeling the pressure to financially support a family after experiencing job loss can cause significant stress on an individual. Cagney, Browning, Iveniuk and English (2014) described how individuals who are facing distress due to financial concerns and home foreclose have increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. The lifestyle of many Albertans drastically changed as a result of the oil field layoffs, and adjusting to such sudden changes was felt by the entire family unit.
Community level
The CDC (n.d.) describes the community level as the settings where social relationships occur (i.e., schools, workplaces, or neighborhoods). Having the support of one’s community can be a protective factor for those experiencing financial issues or mental health concerns. Community organizations in Alberta like the Calgary Food Bank continue to see record numbers of individuals and families accessing their supports (Calgary Herald, 2018).
At the neighborhood level, pressures to “keep up with the Jones” when it comes to material possessions is something that can be felt during economic hardships. The stress and pressure to maintain financial stability may cause depression or anxiety, and the use of substances to cope (Sareen, Afifi, McMillan and Asmundson, 2011). If an individual is experiencing a mental health issue, stigma at the community level can act as a barrier to receiving help. Boak, Hamilton, Edward, Joanna, and Robert (2016) found that 40% of their survey sample had experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression but did not seek medical help. The feelings of being judged or stigmatized can perpetuate the use of unhealthy coping mechanisms rather than seeking professional help.
Societal level
The societal level of the Social Ecological Model includes factors such as health, economic, education and social policies, which help to maintain economic or social inequalities between groups (CDC, n.d.).
The societal level of the Social Ecological Model is the epicenter of the economic downturn in Alberta. National and international political and economic leaders have been the decision makers who have shaped the current economy in Alberta and Canada as a whole. As seen in Figure 2 the economic downturn in Alberta happened abruptly, and many of those employed in the oil and gas industry did not see it coming.
As a result of the economic downturn, the Alberta government has had to allot more funding to support individuals experiencing financial distress. The Ministry of Community Services 2018-19 business plan stated that the number of Albertans receiving income support has more than doubled over the past four years (Calgary Herald, 2018).
The NDP government came into power in Alberta right around the start of the economic downturn. The CBC (2018) explains that since the shift in government the funding for addiction and mental health services has almost doubled from $48 million annually to $87 million annually. Some of the protective factors that have been put in place with this funding, in partnership with Alberta Health Services include; opioid safe consumption sites, the distribution of naloxone kits and a Crisis Stabilization Unit. Alberta Health Services is constantly evolving its resources to serve the changing needs of the population.
When it comes to the future of the Alberta, and Canadian economy, many people feel that building the Trans Mountain Pipeline is the answer. The Trans Mountain (n.d.) website outlines that the Canadian economy will see approximately 7.4 million in revenue over the years, as well as a large influx in temporary and permanent jobs. At this point it is still uncertain if the pipeline will be built, and the employment future of many Albertans is also unclear.
Conclusion
After exploring the Alberta recession and the possible implications on mental health through a Social Ecological Model lens I realized just how far reaching the effects can be. This model does a great job illustrating the interconnectedness of the different levels, as each of the levels impact and contribute to the others. The financial outlook in Alberta is beginning to improve, but unemployment rates are still higher than average, and the mental health of Albertans is still a critical focus of Alberta Health Services.
References
Alberta Government. (2018). Unintentional fentanyl-related deaths in Alberta. Retrieved from https://www.alberta.ca/opioid-reports.aspx
Boak et al. (2016). The mental health and well-being of Ontario students, 1991-2015: Detailed OSDUHS findings. CAMH Research Document Series no. 43. Toronto: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
CBC. (2018). Alberta’s mental health system ‘cracking at the seams’, says co-author of review. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/mental-health-system-cracking- seams-1.4827319
CBC. (2015). Suicide rate in Alberta climbs 30% in wake of mass oilpatch layoffs. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/suicide-rate-alberta-increase-layoffs- 1.3353662
Cagney. K., Browning. C., Iveniuk. J., and English. N. (2014). The onset of depression during the great recession: Forclosure and older adult mental health. Am J Public Health, 104(3), 498-505. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301566
Calgary Herald. (2018). Social assistance rates continue to soar despite Alberta’s recovering economy. Retrieved from https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/social-assistance- rates-continue-to-soar-despite-albertas-https://calgaryjournal.ca/news/3911-calgary-food- services-feeling-the-pinch-of-our-past-economic-downturn.htmlrecovering-economy
Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research. (2017). Understanding substance use: A health promotion perspective. Retrieved from http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/factsheet/understanding-substance-use-a-health-promotion- perspective
Centre for Disease Control Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). The Social-Ecological Model: A framework for violence prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/sem_framewrk-a.pdf
Financial Post. (2016). Alberta in worst recession since government began recording data in 1980s as deficit balloons to $10.9 billion. Retrieved from https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/alberta-in-worst-recession-since- government-began-recording-data-in-the-1980s-as-deficit-balloons-to-10-9-million
Frasquiho. D., Matos, M., Salonna. F., Guerreiro. D., Storti. C., Gaspar. T., & Caldas-de- Almeida. (2016). Mental health outcomes in times of economic recession: a systematic literature review. BMC Public Health, 16(115), 1-41. doi:10.1186/s12889-016-2720-y
Freyer-Adam. J., Gaertner. B., Tobschall. D., & John, U. (2011). Health risk factors and self- rated health among job-seekers. BMC Public Health, 11(659). doi:10.1186/1471-2458- 11-659
Government of Canada (2006). The human face of mental health and mental illness in Canada. Ottawa: Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada.
Newman. S., & Bland. R. (2007). Case-control study of unemployment and parasuicide. Compr Psychiatry, 48(6), 511-515. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2007.06.002
Sareen. J., Afifi. T., McMillan K., & Asmundson. G. (2011). Relationship between household income and mental disorders: Findings from population-based longitudinal study. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 68(4), 419-427. doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.15
Solantaus. T., Leinonen. J., & Punamaki. R. (2004). Children’s mental health in times of economic recession: Replication and extension of the family economic stress model in Finland. Dev Psychol, 40(3), 412-429. doi: 10.1037/0012-1649.40.3.412
Statista. (2019). Unemployment rate Alberta, Canada 2008-2018. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/569370/unemployment-rate-alberta-canada/
Trans Mountain. (n.d.). Project Benefits. Retrieved from https://www.transmountain.com/benefits
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