According to a New York Post article (Austan Gooslbee, Nov. 30, 2003, New York Post, ”The Unemployment Myth”) the official unemployment rate is deceptively lower than the true number of unemployed persons in the United States. Mary Engels, writing in MSN Money, states that, “When the underemployed and the discouraged are added to the numbers, the unemployment rate rises to 16.6%.” (Mary Engels, June 4, 2010, MSN Money, "The Real Unemployment Rate? 16.6%”) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the official unemployment rate in August 2010 was 9.6%, with 14.9 million Americans out of work and 6.2 million out of work for over 27 months.
Loss of Income and Depression
According to a Canadian Mental Health Association Policy Statement, unemployed persons who lack the financial resources to obtain food, clothing, and shelter are obviously stressed. In addition to basic resources, “Unemployed persons may lose their sense of self-worth and belonging, within their family, their former workplace and their community.”
Loss of Work Contacts and Depression
According to an Institute for Work and Health Issue Briefing, researchers conclude that the loss of social contacts with colleagues has a more harmful effect on the unemployed than the loss of income (Helliwell, J.F., Putnam, R.D.,September 29, 2004, “The Social Context of Well-Being,” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.) Workers who have abruptly lost their jobs have also lost their social support system and are forcibly isolated with their stress.
Length of Unemployment and Depression
Research reported by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2008, “ Are all jobs good for your health? ,” OECD Employment Outlook) concludes that stress levels are very high for newly unemployed persons. After the initial shock has passed, the stress levels out as they continue to seek new jobs. If unemployment goes on for extended times, a sense of hopelessness and worthlessness can very adversely affect the job seeker, making it even harder for him or her to get a job.
Poll of Unemployed Americans
According to a 2009 Gallup poll of 40,000 unemployed persons in the United States, a majority of unemployed persons describe themselves as “struggling.” (Stephanie Pappas, March 20, 2010, “Job Loss Takes a Toll on Mental Health,” Live Science.) Those persons who were unemployed also reported feeling more sadness, worry, and depression than those who had jobs. In addition, 21 % reported that a medical professional had told them they were depressed, compared to 12% of those who were employed.
Fighting Depression
Clinical depression is a serious and treatable condition and if an unemployed person is exhibiting signs of clinical depression, they need professional help. To cope with the stress of unemployment it is important to daily maintain encouraging social contacts, engage in some kind of regular physical activity, and make some positive step toward resolving their unemployment crisis, even if it is just a small step.
