The Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Mental Health: A Scoping Review

Economic crises characterized by financial instability, rising unemployment, and austerity measures are known to have profound social and public health consequences. While their economic impacts are widely studied, their effects on mental health across diverse populations and geographic regions remain fragmented and require synthesis. This scoping review aims to consolidate existing evidence on the relationship between economic crises and a broad range of mental health outcomes, including suicide, depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and health service utilization. Multiple databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, EconLit) were explored for reports published between January 2000 and December 2025, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Totally, 122 studies met the inclusion criteria. Economic crises are consistently associated with adverse mental health outcomes. Key findings include increased suicide mortality, particularly among working-age men, with pronounced spikes during and after major crises such as the 2008 global financial crisis and the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Non-fatal suicidal behaviors (ideation, attempts, self-harm), depression, anxiety, and psychological distress also rise significantly, driven by unemployment, income loss, debt, and housing insecurity. Vulnerable groups, including the unemployed, low-income populations, youth, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions are disproportionately affected. The evidence also indicates mixed patterns in mental health service utilization, often constrained by austerity and access barriers. Social protection systems and supportive policies appear to mitigate negative mental health impacts. Economic crises exert a significant and multifaceted toll on population mental health, exacerbating inequalities and increasing the burden of mental disorders and suicidal behavior. The findings underscore the need for integrated policy responses that strengthen social safety nets, ensure accessible mental healthcare, and address the psychosocial and economic determinants of health during periods of financial instability. Research gaps remain, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and regarding long-term mental health trajectories post-crisis.