Divorce. It’s often a pretty horrible time.
While the long-term outcomes from divorce can be positive, in the short-term it can be a tumultuous roller coaster of emotional and financial heartbreak.
Here at Informed Choice, we often deal with the financial consequences of divorce; helping our clients create a robust financial plan for the future and address important considerations around pensions and protection.
The impact of divorce on health is something often experienced behind closed doors.
A new case study in the Journal of Men’s Health has suggested that more work is “urgently needed” to investigate the often disastrous impact of divorce on men’s health.
According to the report, divorced men have higher rates of mortality, substance abuse and depression.
They often lack social support at such an important time.
Premature deaths for divorced men are often a result of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and stroke.
The study went on to explain that mortality rates are also impacted by increased risky behavior among divorced men.
Divorced or separated males have a 39% higher suicide rate than married males.
The conclusion was that nutrition, exercise and sleep education plays an important role in resolving much of the anxiety and stress associated with divorce.
This is of course not unique to men; women also need help when going through the process of separation and divorce.
Our contribution to ensuring the well being of any clients going through divorce will always be limited to the crucial tasks associated with their financial planning, but we do of course want to help divorcing clients recognise any health related warning signs at an early stage and seek professional assistance where needed.
