Our country is only as strong as the mental health of its people. The cut-throat rat race of trying to survive on an income less than 40k a year is undeniably taking its toll, creating a generation of worn-out individuals, worn thin by the constant stress and pressure just to make ends meet. Good mental health is extremely important irrespective of the employment status of an individual.

The unforgiving reality of wage inequality and financial strain has exacerbated mental health issues among communities earning under $40K per year. Research by the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that people living in poverty are at greater risk of mental illness compared to their wealthier counterparts. Economic policies should be in place to urgently mitigate this.

We seek not a handout but a chance for stability and dignity. We propose a flat benefit amount for social security and a guaranteed basic income. Such a system will likely ease financial stress and provide a safety net, consequently contributing to enhanced mental wellbeing.

Consider Finland, where a two-year universal basic income experiment ended in 2018. An evaluation of the trial found that recipients of the income saw significant improvements in wellbeing and stress levels compared to a control group, according to Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland.

Financial insecurity is more than just dollars on a statement - it's a constant, gloom-tinged undercurrent in the lives of too many Americans. Let this be a clarion call for a society that nurtures the mental health of every individual rather than fracturing it. Now, more than ever, we must champion policies that guarantee not just the dollar in our pocket but the health of our minds.

Please join us in this call to action and sign this petition today.