Reflecting on how finances intersect with mental health naturally surfaces questions about the affordability of therapy itself. Money issues can be a significant factor that contributes to anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. But how many people who could benefit from therapy to gain support for these issues don’t pursue it because the cost of private therapy is prohibitive to pay out of pocket, or because their household lacks sufficient benefits?

How often does money come up in the therapy room? It can be hard to answer a question like this precisely, but data suggests that there is a relationship between our finances and mental health —including debt, spending habits, concerns about inflation, housing costs, fears about losing employment and more.