Recession woes can turn deadly -- seek support

Your Well-Being

February 1, 2009|By Jane Glenn Haas, The Orange County (Calif.) Register

There is more to this time of economic pain than lost jobs and evaporating savings.

For many, there also is humiliation. Depression. A deep sense of personal failure.

For too many of these Americans -- the majority in the second half of life according to statistics -- the result can be suicidal despair.

Coping with these mental-health demons is bad enough at any time of the year. But the holiday season plunges many into deeper despair, says Dr. Leslie Seppinni, a Los Angeles-based clinical psychologist, crisis intervention specialist and family/marriage therapist.

"People feel they worked hard and long, they're in their late 40s or early 50s, and suddenly everything is gone in one fell swoop," Seppinni says. "Their industry is shut down, not selling or going under. They look to find someone to turn to and too often feel they are alone.

"It's crazy and insane, yes! But my phone is ringing off the hook with calls, and many people are suicidal."

Question: I haven't heard too much about mental-health problems associated with this recession. Are people just becoming aware?

Answer: People suddenly want to use their benefits, if they are available. They want some counseling before they lose their jobs, and that's a good thing. And this is cutting across all cultures and economics.

Q: Has the workplace changed for those with jobs today?

A: Oh, yes. Corporate America demands more from employees -- sales, telemarketing, everything. There is more demand for production, fewer breaks, lower pay. It is a situation the employer can get away with right now. The attitude is, "we can always replace you."

And here's another interesting thing. There are fewer layoffs, and a lot of people are being fired. At least among the people I see. People who are fired do not get severance.

Q: What do you advise people to do to maintain a good mental attitude?

A: It's important to find support -- support from other people. I tell them to go online and look for mental-health support groups in their area.

Q: If a person has no mental-health benefits and can't afford counseling, can a primary-care doctor help?

A: Of course. A primary-care doctor can prescribe anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication and sleeping aids.

Q: I know there are many people who are caught up in this recession who always lived like the good times would never end. Is there a lesson here?

A: Too many people underestimated the future. They thought they would always do well. Now they have to use their kids' college fund to pay the rent. And sometimes the kids end up feeling guilty because the parents feel guilty and it goes on and on. Imagine a man who suddenly faces telling his kids he has "failed them" because he needs their college money; telling his wife she has to go back to work, realizing he lost everything. These are the men who are becoming suicidal.

Q: "Suicidal" seems so overblown. I mean, is a lost job worth your life? But I know you are right because my friend's son recently killed himself because he lost his position. He was in his late 40s.

A: Just look around. Already there are so many empty stores -- family businesses gone -- and people forced out of their homes. Families are moving in together and there's conflict with two or three generations living together.

That's why it is important to reach out and find others to help you create a support group. Maybe your local community church. Neighbors may surprise you by being in the same situation. Do not isolate yourself. You will be shocked to find out how many are in the same boat.

Q: In the long run, I have heard, this will be a good experience for the nation.

A: We are ending the economy of gluttony and replacing it with the economy of relationship building. It's a good thing to pause and take stock of what's important in your life and set goals.

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