Mental toll of extended unemployment looms large

“You’re 45, 50 years old, you’ve worked hard for the past 25 years, and all of the sudden you’re on the street, or your friends disappear like unemployment is a disease they can catch,” said Sarfati, the executive director of 40Plus of Greater Washington, an organization that brings together unemployed middle-aged professionals for job training, resume building and much needed moral support. “As this thing gets more drawn out, we see more and more people fall into a deep funk or dark place.”

As President Obama and Republican leaders argue over the best way to reduce 9.1 percent unemployment and revive a near-flatlining economy, less attention has been paid to the widespread emotional and psychological damage caused by long-term unemployment — and the drain it has on government resources and workforce productivity.

wausauguy wrote:I think the psychological damage is the worst part of being unemployed.

For me I feel so powerless, and the reactions of people and their opinions really are a catalyst for even more psychological damage. There seems to be this idea that the long term unemployed are not applying for jobs and such. I can only speak for myself, but I have been applying for jobs. I find I get so down at times because I seem to get my hopes up and see myself in a few of the jobs only to be turned down.

Today what hurts is how even what may be well intentioned concern, leaves me feeling they feel pity for me, I am a person not looking for pity, maybe a helping hand to help me land a job but pity is not what I need.

I just want to add , I have worries, but I am ok, and I am fine.

nfpexec wrote:I agree with the above. You're just beat down from this experience and wonder how to get back to the person you were and the life you had. It's debilitating & humiliating and not seeing any success from your efforts makes it doubly hard to keep going. I literally feel like I'm fading away. I don't go out, see anyone, don't talk to anyone. Everyday is the same, forcing myself out of bed, checking emails, voice mails, searching postings, seeing the same things reposted, dreading the mail because it has some bill I can't pay. People really have no idea what a nightmare this is with no light at the end of the tunnel as months have turned into years.