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October
Men and Job Loss
Nothing can be more devastating than for a man to
lose his job. This takes a toll in many ways;
specifically, with regards to self-esteem as so
many men define themselves by their jobs or
profession. If a man loses his job and has no one
to turn to: wife, girlfriend, partner, religious or
spiritual group or family and friends, he can
isolate and withdraw into himself.
If he cuts himself of from others, he will often
become quite depressed and sometimes, suicidal. Men
are more likely to follow through with
suicide--especially men in their 60's--and they
need all the support they can get during this
vulnerable time.
In this time of job layoffs and high
unemployment, men are much more likely to get
depressed and abuse substances. These addictive
behaviors not only hurt them but also their loved
ones--wives, children, parents,etc. Violence and
self-destructive behavior can cause other problems
which need to be addressed. These could lead to
imprisonment and/or hospitalization (medical or
psychiatric). Some form of intervention on the part
of friends or family will need to be
implemented.
This is where Therapy comes in. A skilled
Psychotherapist can provide family, group or
individual therapy for these men so that in a safe
environment, among other men, they can start to
address their anger, sadness, and loss/grief
regarding their employment which has defined their
masculinity most of their lives. It is the rare man
who maintains high self-esteem in spite of losing a
job or career. I might mention too that most men
need men's groups versus mixed groups (men and
women) so that the other gender does not shame the
opposite gender. Men, often, get shamed by remarks
by women that seem to attack their masculinity.
In conclusion then, men need very sensitive
friends and family to support them during
employment loses and they need avenues to build and
maintain self-esteem so that they recognize their
value to family, friends and society, at large, in
spite of economic downturns that often have little
to do with them as human beings. Finding ways to
volunteer with organizations and mentor boys, girls
and adolescents can be rewarding and give them a
sense of purpose until they can secure employment.
Therapy and religious institutions can provide
support too for these men as they re-define
themselves in a society that often acknowledges men
only based on the economic bottom line.
©2010, Michael
Shaffran
* * *
Mike
Shaffran is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and
Psychotherapist with over 30 years experience in
the mental health profession. He's worked most of
his time in outpatient Psychiatric clinics where he
has provided individual, couples/marital, family
and group therapy. He is trained in multiple
therapies, including: Psycho-dynamic,
Gestalt,Structural-Strategic Family, Solution
focused, Brief Therapy, and other methods. He is
trained in EMDR ( a type of therapy for PTSD),
hypnosis, meditation and guided imagery also. Mike
is committed to ongoing seminars, workshops and
trainings to keep current with the latest therapy
to provide the best services possible to his
clients. www.sanluisobispotherapy.com
or E-Mail
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