Harris et al, in the final article in this series, document the few interventions that have been tried, and outline possible strategies to address this problem. It is important to reduce the negative effects of unemployment to minimise individual misery of unemployed people, as well as to benefit their families and the commun ity in general. While this task does include the development and implementation of individual health and well-being programs, the solution also lies in our responses to the changing nature of work and how we will structure our major institutions in the next century. We need to develop policies and strategies to reduce the stigma of joblessness. The right of all to be able to engage in meaningful and community-sanctioned activities that bring with them opportunities for financial security is central to reducing the debilitating effects of unemployment.
Unemployment is a long-standing problem.
It is not likely to disappear in the short to medium term. Income support from government sources will inevitably continue, and could do so without the stigma with which it is currently associated and at levels that ensure that unemployed people do not live in poverty. Peter A Creed Lecturer, School of Applied Psychology Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD Australian Bureau of Statistics. 1997 Year Book Australia. Spiers R. Growing problem of long term unemployed.