Newspapers / The Carolina Times (Durham, … / Jan. 31, 1981, edition 1 / Page 15
Part of The Carolina Times (Durham, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
SAT..UXUAXY21.1S31 . Inflation has become not merely an economic and political problem in the United States, but a mental health problem as well. Inflation itself doesn't drive people crazy, though they may sometimes feel as though it does. But among those who already have other serious problems inflation-induced stress is ; increasingly becoming the final straw. Therapists have begun to find that inflation, and the staridard-of-living sacrifices it requires can contribute to marital discord, problem drinking reduced productivity or incentive at work, an aggressive behavior, including child abuse and rape. The broad effects of inflation on mental health in'the United States have never been studied in detail. One reason is that today's double digit rate s- which recently was averaging eighteen per cent on an annual basis is a relatively recent phenomenon on the long-term yard stick by which social scientist measure national trends. In 1975, M. Harvey Brenner, a Johns Hopkins University sociologist, publicized findings of a strong link between unemployment levels and rates of mental hospital admissions, suicides, violent crimes and death by such causes as heart attacks. He found insufficient Recently reports have been circulating that homes were available for only $96,500 in San Francisco. Statistics published by realtors and bank research staff say such is the average price of a house in the pictures- 3ue city. Still too few Americans cao afford a home to ay in spite of their high inflationary salaries. . Americans do want to own their own homes. In fact, more than 64 of Americart families own their homes. Savings and loan associations have made it their business to "keep the American dream alive." Savings and loan associations had assets at year-end 1979 Of $579.3 billion. They are the best bet for help in buying a new home whether the very first or a step up. California, where clearly one-fifth of all the assets of savings and loan associations are available, include not just the huge Home Savings and Loan Association with assets of almost $12 billion and the biggest black American Family Savings and Loan Association, but many other members of the U.S. League of Associations. Happiness Through Health Inflation ban Threaten Your Mental Hoallh By Otto McCbrria evidence,' however, to support a direct link between mental illness and inflation. Mr. Brenner now thinks there may be a statistical Ijnk. Historically, he notes, inflation has occurred in periods when wages are rising comparably. Last year, by contrast, prices rose thirteen per cent while wages and salaries increased just 8.7. The result: A forced decrease in the standard of living of most Americans. "It's when inflation is combined with other factors, such as reduced Gross National Product or higher unemployment, that it really packs its punch" on the mental well-being of Americans, Mr. Brenner says. Psychologists too,, are beginning to recognize this. They say if inflation continues near its present rate and unemployment keeps rising, the national mental health consequences could be profound. For the time being, people aren't treating down therapists' doors looking for advice on how to deal with inflation. But many therapists do say that more patients then ever are citing financial pressure and their declining standard of living as their chief mental problem. At many clinics, finances are today the, fourth most frequently cited : problem initially presented . to counselors ranking behind problems with parents, spouses and children but ahead of such complaints as physical stress, alcoholism, drug addiction and legal dif ficulties. In the mid-1970's, finances ranked ninth or tenth on the list. . Business In The Black At A Price Of $100,000 A House Is Not A Home It's An Investment By Charles E. Bs!i Savings institutions interested in helping develop home ownership make up the 4,350 members in every state, the District Of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam of the U.S. League of Savings Associations. The fine trade organization is 88 years old. The League always has had, as did the first savings and loan which started back in 1831, the dual purpose of "the encouragement of thrift and home ownership." Berean Savinss Association, the oldest black American owned S&L bought this advice and opened in 1888 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The law today gives savings and loans the right to of fer Negotiable Orders of Withdrawal (NOW) accounts. Checking accounts that pay an interest while money is in the account. A situation now exists where the depositor benefits no matter which account his money is in checking or savings when it is in a savings and loan association. Some psych ial rat argue thai because nfUtn generally affects members of the same economic f roup equally, the psychological effects aren't seriou. Bui these professionals seem to be in the minority. Psychiatrists and psychologists have thu far iden tified four main ways that inflation produces the kind of stress that can push people over the edge. One W thai a loss in real income usually requires that people sacrifice the luxuries meals out. entertainment, vacations, camp for the kids and so forth that they ordinarily use to escape from their other problems. A second effect among the less affluent is thai some necessities must go. A third effect of inflation s that it diminishes hope and ambition, the characteristics that nuke people want to work harder. A fourth, and perhaps the most dangerous effect of inflation is that it makes people fed helpless, out of touch with their own destinies. The most vulnerable to this type of stress are people who have "characterological disorder" mental imbalances under which they see themselves as victims and which make them likely to lash out. These traits are frequently 1 found in people .who commit crimes. Savings and loan institutions, like banks, are safe because of the federal government agencies aiJ :n dividual state supervision departments. The Ftdera Home Loan Bank boards, which overlook all fedtra. S&L's, just does not take kindly to savings association--which violate any laws including redlining. In San Fran cisco at the U.S. League annual convention, the FHLB boss. Jay Janis. said the Federal Home Loan Bank would not hesitate to put a savings and loan out oi business if it failed to follow their directive. ' Dreamers of home ownership should consider doing business with a savings and loan association. Their always being ready to loan money foe home ownership is a great start. Wells Fargo Bank, third largest bank in California, has closed down hs loan window for single family home mortgages. Mr. Janis made a prediction of "1.5 million housing starts next year, up from 1.2 million" in 1980. It ap pears one smart way to start toward that dream house is to open a savings and loan account. Don't believe that well-traveled myth that says that you cannot modify your behavior and be happy. Follow ' this advice: 1. Be happy. Stop feeling depressed, guilty and angry. The only guilt that you must have should come from your complacency in not making yourself happy by fail ing to take charge of your life. The natural state of human beings is a healthy and happy one. No one has to be unhappy. No one was born unhappy. If you have self-defeating behavior, it is because you learned it. You can just as easily learn self-enriching behavior that will make you happy. How? By being the boss of your life and doing the things that make you happy. Don't wait for someone else to make you happy. Do it yourself. 2. It is easier than you think to be cool, calm and col- lected. There is no necessary reason for you to be angry with a friend, unhappy about a relationship, tense about . a problem. You control your own feelings. You can make a decision now not to become upset at the anger of t another person. If you think that you will not become ! upset, you will not become upset. You control your ! emotions, not someone else. So, when you become ( unhappy, it is because you made yourself unhappy, i DortVief itappenV w vuia.it m-M : - : 3. You can change bad habits. The decision is yours, When you decide to get rid of a bad habit and to change your behavior in a positive way, your decision will make it happen. Are you serious when you say you want to Lee Creed Kow.to By Lee Creede A law passed by Congress in 1978 has made filing for bankruptcy seem to De the easy way out for those who are under heavy financial strain. At first glance, the new liberalized bankruptcy laws seem to be a godsend for the person who knows he is in financial trouble. But the immediate relief a con sumer experiences under bank ruptcy must be considered against the possibilities of what might happen afterwards. Those who file for reorganization of debts (Chapter 13) under the bankruptcy acts may not be able to obtain credit after the completion of the term of the bankruptcy which usually runs 36 months. Some financial institutions will not give credit to anyone who has ever filed under any form of bankruptcy. Bankruptcies have increased 21.1 percent in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1980, according to the Bankruptcy Division of the Administrative Office -of the U.S. Courts. North Carolina's bankruptcy rate is even higher than the national rate for the. same time period. ( Under the Federal Bankruptcy Act of 1978, which became effective in October 1979 and preempted state laws, the debtor is well-protected: he can keep $7500 in home equity, $1200 of the value of his or her car, $500 in jewelry, $750 in tools, all household goods and clothes not exceeding $200 per item, along with a host of other items. However, persons filing need to be aware that bankruptcy cases are reported to credit bureaus once filed, and are kept in their files for seven to ten years. This adverse information reduces the chances that an individual will be granted credit. And when the bankruptcy is erased from a person's file, there is an absence of positive credit information on which 1 the lender can make a decision. The individual must therefore rebuild a good credit record. There are alternatives to filing for bankruptcy. One solution to a deepening financial problem is to' talk to your creditors when you become aware that you cannot afford to pay your current monthly pay ments. Almost all financial institutions are willing ; to work with borrowers to prepare a reduced monthly payment or an extension of the terms of the loan. Another alternative is the utilization of credit counseling services. Many of these services receive United Way support and are available in many com munities. This alternative accomplishes the same thing as a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, but it costs nothing to the consumer. With either one of these approaches, the credit record remains satisfactory and future loans may still be attainable. ' t Crttdi, a banktr far IS ytan, It vie pmldtnt and ngfanal managtr of rtt&il loan vdminittrafion fir Wachovia Ban d Coping How To Change Your Behavior By Dr. Charles W. Faulkner change or are you attempting to fool yourself with a lot of meaningless talk? It will happen. You're tne doss. 4. Do it and be happy. Stop devoting so much time and energy to wondering if you are doing the right thing. You are a unique person and have the right to unique ideas. Everyone does not become happy by do- now. Start living your life in the present. Be a "now" person. Answers to your problems are probably right at your finger tips and not buried somewhere in the distant past. You have as many brain cells as .the most famous per son who ever lived. You can create just as well as anyone else. Your problem is not a lack of ability. Your problem is failing to nut vour abilitv to work. Start tndav. Make ing to the same thing. Take a chance and put your own ' ?t hc beginning of a new wonderful period of your ideas into action. Just might work. Just might make you' l,fe Havc and find happiness within yourself, and others happy. Try it and see. ' ir vrti i hau miMtiAnr .. . . . 1 -1 1 : 1 "v ituvjiivna jvu wuuiu iikc answered aireci 5. Look ahead. Leave the past alone. Whatever pro- them to Dr. Charles W. Faulkner, P.O. Box 50016 blems occurred in he past have happened, they are gone Washington, DC 20004. ' "i ' "'J .$' tr .r.c i I -J ' (J i ' ' i 'i i uiiii i i 1 ' .' . 1 ' ' Affordable luxury for 1981. The Cutlass Supreme is one of America's best sell ing cars. That's because it's a solid value. It lets you enjoy many of the comforts of a luxury car without paying the price. Inside the 1981 CutlaSupreme, driver and passengers will enjoy roomy seats with comfortable head' room and ample legroom. Standard equipment HO includes power brakes, power steering and auto matic transmission. You can also choose from the standard V6 engine or an available gasoline or diesel V& That's practical, that's Oldsmobile. Experience the smooth ride and traditional styling. This yeai; go for luxury and Off value. Go for the 1981 Cutlass Supreme. We've had one hulU for yon!
The Carolina Times (Durham, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Jan. 31, 1981, edition 1
15
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75