Letter to the Editor
Washington Post
letters@washpost.com
Dear Editor,
Rate of unemployment continuously makes headline news. It seems as though the sole goal of President Obama is to “create more jobs.” Well, what about the lives of those who still remain unemployed after three years? “Mental toll of extended unemployment looms at large” reminds us how in times when we intensely focus on the strength of the economy as a measure of our country’s health, mental health is neglected. The unemployed experience risks of depression and rates of the clinically depressed have risen since the recession (according to your findings). Yet these aren’t the rates that President Obama is fighting against. The Health of the unemployed is an issue we cannot neglect.
As a Public Health student, I am advocating for increased emotional support for the unemployed. Emotional support is linked to well-being (Burleson 2003). Unemployed readers of this article may feel solace in knowing that feelings of depression are normal. Yet, the article provides no solutions or hope for them. I propose that the unemployed re-integrate themselves into society by joining associations and community groups. Here, they can overcome the stigma, feel a sense of belonging, utility, and even create networks leading them into job opportunities.
Diana Rios
Berkeley, CA
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/mental-toll-of-extended-unemployment-looms-large/2011/09/27/gIQAD5Lv9K_story_1.html
I agree with you, Diane. Though the unemployed are at risk for feelings of hopelessness and depression, there is little attention paid to them. However, this need for counseling services for the unemployed will probably be put on the back burner, as 17.7% of our GDP is already directed towards health care, and our country is trillions of dollars in debt. Though it would be an extremely important service, I'm sure there are other issues that would take priority. For example, from an economics standpoint, it'd be more practical to direct funds towards children's health insurance or education programs in order to ensure the productivity and healthy lifestyles of the country's future human capital. It'd also be more practical to fund mental health services for the employed. Furthermore, the unemployed, especially ones more prone to depression, are less likely to have/be able to afford health insurance to pay for counseling. Underlying all of this is really the issue of who is deserving of our scarce health care dollars, and what it means to be a "contributing" member of society neck-in-neck in the competition for these assets. It is sad to think that because they do not contribute to the country's GDP, the unemployed seem to disappear off the radar. Though mental health services are essential, I'm skeptical about whether they will actually increase, given the harsh reality of the current health care system.
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