
You May be A Dislocated Worker If….
You lost your job and one or more of these things is true about you:
-- A substantial layoff
-- Foreign competition
-- Lack of demand for your skills
You lost your job and one or more of these things is true about you:
- You have been terminated, laid off, or received a “notice of termination or layoff” and are unlikely to return to your usual occupation or industry because of:
-- A substantial layoff
-- Foreign competition
-- Lack of demand for your skills
- You are self-employed, but the economy or a natural disaster has put you out of work
- You are a displaced homemaker who is either unemployed or working a job that does not support your household. (Probably ineligible for unemployment benefits).
Displaced workers are people who were gainfully employed but lost their jobs through no fault of their own. This means poor performance was not a key reason for their job loss. Two additional key factors also define most displaced workers. First, they have been permanently laid off. Secondly, they have little chance of returning to their former profession.
Being unable to return to a profession usually is related to low demand for that work. This can happen when an industry is experiencing an overall decline. After a person is laid off from that industry, the chance of finding similar work is limited because of a lack of available positions.
It is not unusual for a dislocated worker to become depressed. Symptoms of depression include sleeping too much or not enough, eating too much or not enough, feeling blue and discouraged, or hopeless and helpless. There may be the belief that things are not ever going to get better .Some people in this situation even consider harming themselves or committing suicide.
Another common problem among dislocated workers is an increase in drinking and/or drug use. This is often a form of “self-medicating” oneself to help cope. It does not take long for this kind of increase to result in alcoholism and or addiction. If your drinking is increasing or you find yourself using drugs, you may want to talk to someone about this. Early intervention is the best solution.
Since you are under a lot of stress you may find yourself more easily irritated with your family. You may find it difficult to control your temper and may lash out at either your partner or your children. Domestic violence and child abuse can occur because of anger that is left unchecked. This is another issue for which you can get help.
We do not mean to imply that every dislocated worker will develop these problems. But we do know that there is a higher incidence of these issues in persons who have lost employment and who are struggling to deal with an experience that is stressful. Persons who are having problems should not be ashamed to ask for help. Treatment is available, does not take a long time, and can be helpful in reducing your symptoms and in improving your outlook.
Here is a list of providers under the ADAMH Network of Care.
New Horizons Mental Health Services (740) 687-0835
Mental health diagnostic assessment, counseling, case management, psychiatric evaluation/medication monitoring.
Mid Ohio Psychological Services (740) 687-0042
Mental health diagnostic assessment, counseling, and case management
The Recovery Center (740) 687-4500
Substance abuse diagnostic assessment, counseling, case management, psychiatric evaluation/medication monitoring
The Lighthouse (740) 687-4423
Domestic violence crisis, diagnostic assessment, counseling, and case management
You can also contact (740) 687-TALK or 1-800 825-0841
ADAMH -- Because Mental Health and Addiction Matter.
This blog was written by:
Patti Waits, M.Ed., LPC, LICDC (ADAMH Consumer and Family Advocate)
Patti Waits, M.Ed., LPC, LICDC (ADAMH Consumer and Family Advocate)