Fatma Al Zahraa Mohamed, a 38-year-old mother of three, begins her day before dawn, clocking double the hours she once worked just to afford the rising cost of basic necessities. Her husband, out of work for years, leaves Fatma as the sole provider, a burden that has become heavier with each passing month. “I’m always worried about how I’ll give my kids a decent life,” Mohamed said. The constant financial strain has taken a toll on her mental health, as she juggles the pressure of putting food on the table and paying for her children’s education. According to a 2011 study by the World Health Organization, mental health troubles are closely linked to deprivation, poverty, and economic inequality, making times of financial crisis strenuous for the well-being of affected individuals and their families. This is particularly evident in Egypt, where economic hardships have intensified. In March 2023, inflation reached an alarming 31.9 percent, with core inflation rising even further to 40.26 percent. Food prices alone surged by 61.8 percent year-on-year. Fast forward to August 2024, and the pressure is still mounting, urban inflation jumped to 26.2 percent, with rising costs…
How Egypt’s Economic Pressures Are Taking a Toll on Mental Health
September 26, 2024
