Massive Layoffs Increase Demand for Mental Health Counselors

On Monday, January 26, 2009, massive US layoffs began as at least 40,000 jobs were cut by giant employers in the United States and abroad. They include 20,000 job cuts by Caterpillar Inc., 8,000 job cuts by Sprint, and 7,000 job cuts by Home Depot. Miserable Monday, as this day has been termed, comes after the national unemployment rate reached 7% in December, its highest in 16 years, following 2.5 million job cuts in 2008 according to the Labor Department. This takes a toll especially on former employees who hold family roles as the primary breadwinner. A prime illustration, that I witnessed just last week, was a mother sobbing and being comforted by a career counselor after being laid off from a distribution center. As layoffs continue to increase, various types of counselors will be in demand since layoffs can be emotional experiences. The most needed types of counselors will be career, financial assistance, marriage and family, and mental health counselors.

Career Counselors

Many people who have been laid off will turn to career counselors for guidance with career decisions. Career counselors will assist them in evaluating their interests, skills, education, and experiences and advise them about training, resume development, and job searching.

Financial Assistance Counselors

As layoffs for some people could lead to homelessness and hunger, financial assistance counselors will be in very high demand. From personal experience, I have interned at a nonprofit agency that provided emergency financial assistance and budgeting skills to individuals who needed help with paying for rent, utilities, and food. Other specialties that various nonprofit agencies provide include financial assistance for medical care that is offered at hospitals.

Marriage and Family Counselors

Spouses will seek counselors since a layoff is known to put a major damper on marriage and family life. Specifically, some married couples will attend marriage conferences to learn to resolve conflicts through effective communication, understanding, and respect. Marriage and family counselors offer both group and individual counseling.

Mental Health Counselors

Mental health counselors will be essential in edifying people who face depression, anxiety, and stress after losing their jobs. Mental health counselors will be the first to encourage the most devastated individuals to release their anguish by talking it out before beginning afresh.

The chief outcome of Miserable Monday is that unification will be inevitable since nearly everyone is walking on shaky ground. This is definitely a time when people will need guidance especially if they have never imagined themselves without work. The vital role of counselors cannot be understated. Even more, during this widespread crisis, everyone will need to come together to support and encourage one another.

Sources

"Counselors." Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Gross, Richard. "Premier Companies Cut Thousands of Jobs." Washington Times website.

Mayerowitz, Scott and Gomstyn, Alice. "Miserable Monday: More Than 40,000 Layoffs." ABC News website.

"Mental Health Counselor: Job Duties, Career Outlook, & Educational Requirements." Degree Directory website.

"Unemployment Hits 16-Year High." WYFF4 website.