FORT MYERS
In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, 87% of people say most of their stress comes from the cost of food, gas, and rent, and Southwest Florida residents, especially seniors , they tell WINK News the same thing.
The number of people stressed about money continues to rise. After about a year of the pandemic, in February 2021, 57% of people reported being stressed about money. In June of that year, that number rose to 61%. The most recent study by the APA this February found that number rose once again, to 65%.
Seniors who spoke with WINK News say that living on a fixed income right now is hard and really stresses them out. They are afraid of not having the money to keep up with the costs.
“I’m stuck and I don’t know what to do with it going forward, because I moved here,” said Christopher Pierce, a Lee County resident. “For the last five years, I have lived on the yacht base and on my sailboat, I moved here to live on my sailboat. Now the city wants to sell it, so now I see that my rent will double, or maybe have to move my boat somewhere or sell it, which I won’t be able to do, because all the places are full. And I got $2 in raises this year, but I still can’t pay my rent.”
Others say that what really affects their mental health is the need to spend much more time on the budget and the related stress.
“You have to worry, you just have to pick and choose,” said Robert West Jr., a Fort Myers resident. “Because you look at the prices, where it used to be one price, now 30 cents more, 20 cents more. So, you know, you look at it and say, ‘I can’t get this right now, I have to find something cheaper.’ If you don’t, you’ll be broke.”
Officials who spoke to WINK News at a mental health facility say they’re seeing more people coming in, stressed about how they can’t survive these days.
