UNEMPLOYMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN SERVICE POLICY

ABSTRACT The psychiatric impact of involuntary job loss is evaluated in this paper in light of the attitude among some policy makers that contemporary unemployment is associated with minimal personal costs. Research bearing directly and indirectly on the mental health consequences of job loss is reviewed. Preliminary findings from an ongoing study of family and personal impacts of job loss in which this writer is engaged are also presented. The collective evidence of at least selective psychiatric effects of unemployment is then examined for its implications for human service policy especially in relation to the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of mental illness.