How has the series of redundancies and job loss affected your health? Even if your job seems secure, how has the nation's financial turmoil affected your emotional stability? Any upsurge in unemployment, with or without redundancy, will cause changes in men's health. The World Health Organisation warned (Reuters Health Information, 2008) that the global financial crisis is likely to cause increased mental-health problems, even suicides, as people struggle to cope with poverty and unemployment.

Benefits of work

Regular work provides several functions which contributes to a man's health. These include, a) imposition of structure to one's waking hours; b) shared experiences and contacts outside of the home; c) a sense of purpose in one's activities; and d) personal identity and status. Being able to work and perform well implies good health. An unemployed person loses this gauge of good health.

Ill effects of unemployment

Research has shown that teenagers who found work after leaving school were more emotionally stable than those who were not employed. Investigations into clinical and biochemical conditions of factory workers made redundant in the 1970s and 1980s also found significant changes when compared to their working counterparts.

It has also been demonstrated that there is a peak of general practitioner consultations associated with rumours of job redundancies. Men who are earning on a regular basis are better able to provide for their health-care needs. They are able to afford health insurance or at least pay for basic medical attention. Unemployed persons are at greater risk for poor quality of life, decreased life expectancy and poor management of their illnesses.

Unemployment syndrome

Symptoms of unemployment or fears of being made redundant will be diverse. A phased response pattern has been described. This pattern consists of 'shock, optimism, money worries, boredom, declining self-respect, pessimism and fatalism'. Men visit the doctor with somatic complaints such as tension headaches, resurgence of back ache and vague feelings of ill health. Complaints of abuse of spouse or children might intensify. Some men will take palliative action by increasing the use of drugs such as cigarette, marijuana and alcohol. The idle youth will be involved in criminal activities.

Dealing with the health effects

There is no doubt that recent economic events have led to an increase in unemployment among our populace. This means a reduction in finances for usual activities, specifically health care. Fortunately, Jamaica offers access to free health care. Unemployed men are encouraged to maintain and even improve their health by seeking medical attention at government health centres. Men who attend private facilities need not shy away from discussing the financial difficulties with their usual health-care provider.

Seeing the glass as half full

This is an opportunity for men to brainstorm with family, friends and community resources in order to arrive at viable alternative economic activities. It is important for men to express their feelings to other people in a positive manner in order to cushion the emotional pressures of this period. Despite the challenges to mental and physical health, men can use this experience to grow inwardly and build better futures.

Dr Pauline Williams-Green is a family physician and president of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.