Prior to COVID-19 there were millions of Americans who were already worried about their financial circumstances. And it isn't just in the U.S. alone that this problem exists.

Roughly six out of 10 Americans report that money is a significant stress for them.

It might be worrying about managing their rent, health insurance, car insurance, or one of many other bills. The fact is that for millions they are just getting by and they are not prepared for any financial emergency.

Along with the increase in the jobless rate there is also a risk that financial stress will increase and fuel more risk of suicide with many. For those who are going through it they can feel like they are going through it alone, especially when they don't have any close family or friends around. But there are always resources to find and empathetic people out there who are caring and willing to help in any way that they can. You just need to ask for it which can be hard to do.

Money stress is literally making people sick and causing a severe amount of stress, anxiety, and depression.

One recent Ohio State survey showed that people are optimistic though.

They are feeling better now about the economy than they were in the beginning of the year. And there is a great deal of optimism that things will get better, that they will be able to manage their debts better in the future.

Employers are also feeling the change, reporting that they feel more responsible now for the financial wellness of their employees at a rate that has been increasing over the last decade.

For those between 35-54 they might be feeling a bit more stress than others right now.

And especially those who are earning less in yearly income, they too are feeling more financial anxiety than others who are better off or doing well this year.

It was only a couple of years ago that surveys showed that many people didn't pay much attention to their debt, be it a mortgage or family debt etc. And that young kids even felt empowered by debt and might see it in a positive light.

This year no doubt changed a few minds on that idea, showing that it's always better to be prepared for an emergency than to live foolishly wasting it all away as if no emergency will ever come. Some individuals are now trying to build up their credit for the first time in their lives this year, and they've taken 2020 as an opportunity to cut back and continue to pay down debt and focus on their financial future. It's a move that will likely help them to be better prepared for the next emergency that comes around, because they always do.

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