Mental Health Issues and Divorce in Chicago, IL

How your Mental Health Issues can Impact your Divorce Settlement

There are a few ways an individual’s mental health issues can impact his or her divorce settlement. One of these is how his or her property is divided. Each partner’s physical and mental health status is considered when dividing a couple’s property, and if one partner has a mental health disorder that impacts his or her ability to work or to manage certain property, this can be considered.

An individual’s mental health status is also considered when developing a parenting plan. Just like with property division, each partner’s physical and mental health is considered when determining an appropriate parenting plan. A parent’s mental health could impact his or her ability to care for the couple’s children, which can lead the court to determine that the children should spend the majority of their time with the other parent.

Divorce’s Impact on an Individual’s Mental Health

Getting divorced can also have an impact on an individual’s mental health. In most cases, getting divorced is stressful. An individual might turn to unhealthy coping methods like drinking alcohol and using drugs to manage the stress. He or she might feel anxious, scared, and overall, powerless. This can cause conditions like depression and anxiety to display symptoms in the individual.

Getting divorced can also mean losing one’s health insurance that made it possible for him or her to receive professional help. If you are facing this reality with your divorce, discuss it with your healthcare providers now to determine your options. You might be able to continue receiving treatment at a lower cost based on your income or you could qualify for state-sponsored healthcare coverage. You could also look into nonprofit organizations that help low income individuals receive mental healthcare treatment.