A lot of men really identify with their jobs, their social life revolves around people at the job, the kids are all gone, the wife's got her own interests, and when they're cut loose, they are totally lost. It's time to start drinking themselves to death if they're not rich enough to buy sports cars and attract young gold diggers. Or they take the quickest route and eat a gun. They figure their lives are over, so what the hell.

It will be interesting to see what the Canadians do about it. They won't give a shit here in the US.

A lot of men REALLY identify with their jobs. The loss of a job is almost a death sentence. For many, there are no alternatives. For some there are complicated mitigating circumstances. I could write a book about it. I lost my job twice. Considering my age and health, twice was too many times.

when they have to "wonder why"

Thank you for reminding us of this important notion.

those of us in the real world have a pretty good idea of what is going on

I know the answer to that one! Everything about this society is based on the Protestant work ethic. I read their mantra once and basically, the answer to dealing with the loss of a loved one or property is to bury yourself in your work. So, what happens when you turn fifty, lose your job and have no relationship with your family members? They have NO coping skills, outside of the work that defined them.

No surprise here. I feel like dropping a cold bucket of water on our society. We are being defeated by our own worst social mores.

So, they go it alone because society expects them to. We shouldn't be surprised when this ends in suicide. We also still stigmatize people who seek help for depression, and yet we then wonder why they don't seek help. That's how we are!