ABSTRACT
W hile sitting at my desk several months ago, I (D.H.) answered a phone call from one of the supervisors of a government-funded unemployment help agency. She told me that her staff was completely overwhelmed with the volume of unemployed individuals seeking help through their services in the previous 6 months, and she asked if I would come to speak with members of her staff about the losses that they and their clientele were experiencing. She stated that she contacted me because of my specialization in bereavement-related issues, and she said simply, “These people are all grieving so many losses, and my staff feel overwhelmed by the amount of human suffering that they are encountering as they try to help these individuals try to nd work in an environment where there are no jobs.” At rst, I hesitated in response to her request. My specialization in bereavement had been focused on helping bereaved individuals after they experienced the death of a loved one. However, when I started to ponder what it would be like if I found myself suddenly unemployed, myriad losses immediately came to my mind-the rst thoughts were of the loss of my roles as teacher, counselor, and wage earner. I then considered what it would feel like to lose my hard-earned position and reputation in the local and international community that are a part of my job. I realized that I would experience a huge amount of anxiety over the loss of my nancial security. And then I realized that I would also lose the community and colleagues that are part of my work. It nally occurred to me that I would feel a sense of losing myself as I know myself to be through my work. In addition, what about the pride I have taken in the work that I have done-would that still matter or be a part of me? I called the supervisor back and agreed to her request.
