Sharon Kirsh, Ph.D.
Review by Sandy Jakkavanrangsri

With unemployment figures steadily increasing within the past years, the impact of job loss means more than financial instability: it is the emotional shock our system receives which affects us equally, if not more than financial strain. Our sense of self purpose and familiarity of daily routines becomes uprooted as we question our place within the societal system.

Above the financial difficulties we will encounter, the greatest impact of unemployment is on our mental and physical well-being. Unemployment: Its Impact on Body and Soul raises the issue of the effects of joblessness on our health, specifically, those that dismantle the harmony between our mental and physical health. When facing unemployment, it is crucial that we learn to cope and to readjust within the current situation so we can attain a balance in our well-being.

When unemployment occurs, feelings of frustration, anger, helplessness or depression take over. Unemployment becomes an emotion-filled ride often categorized with some or all of the same feelings most commonly linked to grieving. The ride begins as we progress into a series of stages filled with extreme emotions, until we finally find a new job or role.

In Unemployment: Its Impact on Body and Soul, Kirsh suggests that we go through three distinct phases in adjusting to unemployment. In the first stage, denial and shock, we continue to relate to the self-image of "a worker." As unemployment sinks in, we begin to internalize the situation and start to blame the employer and ourselves for our situation.

In the second, disorganization stage, a whole complex set of emotions begins to take place. We begin to re-evaluate and question our beliefs, values and self-purpose. We begin to question whether the whole process of job hunting and employment is worthwhile at all. As this occurs, our "life space" of the leisure and the work world starts to fuse into one identity, with the belief that working at home, and housekeeping activities will replace actual income work. During this stage many will lose their sense of self-esteem and become withdrawn from social activities, as once-familiar activities become unfamiliar.

The last stage, re-organization, brings with it acceptance and adaptation to the situation. Creating new routines and coping strategies signals the renewed commitment to building self-esteem and carrying on with our daily activities. Kirsh suggests that we must keep in mind that unemployment is common-place in our society, and by all means not an exclusive group - given that as close to 3 million individuals are affected by it.

As we progress through the three stages, keeping the harmony between our psychological and physical well-being is important. Kirsh suggests establishing strategies to lower your stress level, build up confidence, maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep strong relationships while unemployed, to relieve the anxiety of being isolated in the world. These are the areas which are affected indirectly but significantly by unemployment.

Filled with many Canadian statistics and diagrams that help us to further understand what we go through psychologically and physically during unemployment, this CMHA report is one of the best resources suggested by anti-poverty advocates about the experience of unemployment. The report not only explores changes that affect the unemployed directly but also the indirect effects. It asks and answers questions concerning the human impact of unemployment, and finally culminates with suggestions for action and policy change.

To obtain a copy of this report contact Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division at 604/688-3234, toll-free 1-800-555-8222 or through e-mail office@cmha-bc.org

Sandy Jakkavanrangsri works at the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division, in the anti-stigma program, Open Mind: The BC Resource Centre for the Elimination of Stigma.

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