Health insurance has been an important issue for many people around the world, especially in developing countries where access to quality health care is scarce and expensive. There are various reasons why some individuals find it hard to obtain medical coverage, which can include high premiums that cannot be afforded by their income level or being employed at jobs without any benefits. As a result, this leads to them seeking alternative ways of getting treatment when they fall ill or need medical attention.
Such alternatives often come at a cost due to increased out-of-pocket expenses and may sometimes cause individuals to opt for suicide instead of seeking professional help if necessary. This paper seeks to explore how exclusion from healthcare insurance impacts suicide rates.
One way that lack of health insurance can lead to suicide is through financial difficulties. People who do not have medical coverage may find themselves struggling financially as they try to pay out-of-pocket expenses associated with seeking medical attention. They may also face debt issues because they could not afford medical bills, resulting in bankruptcy or other legal problems. These situations create immense pressure and stress that could trigger suicidal thoughts and actions. In addition, exclusion from health insurance makes one more vulnerable since they will not receive regular checkups or screenings that help detect early warning signs that require immediate intervention before they escalate into serious conditions.
Individuals living in poverty and unable to afford tests like mammograms may delay cancer diagnosis until it reaches advanced stages.
Another reason why lack of healthcare insurance contributes to suicide is mental health issues related to depression and anxiety. Studies show that people without insurance are more likely than those with insurance to suffer from these disorders (Brown et al., 2019). Such conditions make individuals feel hopeless about their future prospects while increasing the risk of self-harm and self-destruction. Individuals may decide on taking their lives when overwhelmed by emotional distress brought about by traumatic experiences such as job loss, divorce, or family breakdowns. Further, many who do not have access to medication or therapy tend to be less likely to seek professional assistance for their mental state, preferring to handle the issue alone rather than admit there's a problem. This approach often leads them down the path of despair and eventually suicide.
The impact of exclusion from medical coverage can also be seen through increased substance abuse among affected populations. People who cannot get treatment for drug addiction are more likely to commit suicide because they find themselves helpless in dealing with withdrawal symptoms which come with quitting.
Some individuals use drugs as an escape mechanism for coping with stressful situations; this makes them vulnerable when they realize they cannot depend on anyone else but themselves since they lack health coverage.
Exclusion from health insurance also has social implications beyond financial problems and mental health issues. It makes individuals feel isolated since most of them fear seeking help due to stigma associated with it. This feeling of being left out socially may lead them into isolation where they become lonely and depressed until they take their own life rather than seek support from others. In addition, without proper care, people are more susceptible to diseases like HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis that require constant monitoring but could go untreated if they cannot afford regular checkups (Brown et al., 2019). These illnesses carry high mortality rates that cause unnecessary deaths among those who lack medical coverage.
Exclusion from healthcare insurance impacts suicide rates by causing financial difficulties leading to emotional distress, increasing mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, worsening substance abuse problems, and inducing social isolation among individuals seeking help from others. People should be aware that obtaining adequate medical coverage is essential for staying healthy both physically and mentally, especially if they want to avoid self-destructive behavior caused by traumatic experiences or underlying illnesses.
How does exclusion from healthcare insurance impact suicide rates?
Exclusion from healthcare insurance can have various effects on an individual's mental health, which may lead them to consider taking their life. The lack of access to medical care, therapy, and prescription drugs can make it difficult for people to manage existing mental health conditions or deal with new ones that emerge. This can result in feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and despair, which are known risk factors for suicidal behavior.