A health crisis is any negative change in your mental or physical well-being. It can be an illness or injury, an unexpected accident, or even a natural disaster. During a health crisis, there are a lot of things to worry about—how you’ll pay for treatment, how your condition will progress, and the impact on your loved ones. You might feel helpless or hopeless, or you may feel shame for how your condition is affecting your relationships.
Stress and a lack of time can also contribute to a health crisis. People can become irritable and agitated, which can affect their ability to think clearly or make decisions. If the stress continues for too long, a person might experience a mental health crisis—feeling suicidal, having thoughts of self-harm or being violent toward others.
Across the country, healthcare debt is causing serious distress for millions of Americans. Especially for those living on low- to middle-incomes, these debts can be debilitating and prevent them from receiving needed medical care. The problem is caused by underinsurance, high out-of-pocket costs, and a fragmented US healthcare system.
If you know someone who is going through a health crisis, try to be there for them. You can help by letting them talk, and by listening. You can also offer to take care of errands or meals so they can focus on getting better. It’s also helpful to have an emergency fund set aside for hospital bills. You can find out more about setting up an emergency health care fund by speaking with a financial advisor.