As the economy continues to struggle, experts say more and more people are turning to counselors to deal with growing financial stress and its deadly effects.

Harvey Yoder is a counselor at the Family Life Resource Center in Harrisonburg. He says stress from the economy is on the minds of many people visiting the center.

Yoder says, "I'm seeing a lot more people come in who talk about financial stress and it may or not be the issue that is bringing them here, but it's on everyone's minds these days."

He says if it's intense enough, financial stress can have deadly consequences when combined with existing depression.

Yoder says, "It's not the magnitude of a particular person's problem, but it's the already existing depression that an event may trigger further thoughts of suicide."

One of the key triggers these days can be the continuing talks of layoffs and struggling businesses. Yoder says they are continuing to find new ways of helping ease the impact of stress induced by the economy.

"We want to try and help them to think of it in as rational a way as possible," says Yoder. "Not do too much catastrophizing, awfulizing, but look at the assets they have, the strengths they have and particularly the resources they have around them."

The center is planning classes for Valley residents to manage their finances.

Yoder adds, "In January, we are having a series of three hour and a half classes that will meet once a week on dealing with finances and helping people to make the most of the finances they have."

Grief and Loss Services at Rockingham Memorial Hospital are also offering their help and they say you may be able to receive your first two sessions for free.

Contact RMH Coordinator of Grief and Loss Services Nancy Shomo at 540-433-4427.

If you would like to contact the Family Life Resource Center, you can call 540-432-4314.