With record-high unemployment rates, foreclosures, bankruptcies, shrinking retirement accounts and marital breakdowns, more people are experiencing overwhelming stress levels as a direct result of personal and national finances.

This heightened financial stress has led to a syndrome many have begun to call "recession depression". Common symptoms include severe distress, sleepless nights, short tempers, increased irritability and chronic worry -- all of which lead to increased absenteeism, poor employee health and decreased productivity at the workplace.

. . . The latest research from Financial Literacy Partners shows that employees spend approximately 20 hours per month distracted from work due to financial difficulties, costing employers an average of $7,000 per employee per year in lost productivity.

. . . To minimize losses as a result of recession depression, employers need to efficiently and cost-effectively address the root causes of financial stress -- employees' major life events, lack of financial literacy and psychological concerns -- by carefully aligning benefits with business strategy.

. . . Now that stress levels and health risks are at all-time highs, a wellness program in combination with [an employee assistance program (EAP)], counseling and stress management solutions can greatly reduce unnecessary health care costs and improve productivity. . . . But in a time when companies are cutting costs, what should they do when a wellness program reports low utilization? . . . Before scrapping the program altogether, employers need to take a careful look at their outreach and communication strategies.

. . . None of these benefit strategies will work unless the company communication policy is open, frequent and effective.

In a time when people could really use an emotional stimulus package, it's more important than ever for employers to monitor the mental well-being of their staff.

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