UNEMPLOYMENT, DEPRESSION AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
UNEMPLOYMENT, DEPRESSION AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Unemployment has become one of the serious dilemmas in our society and unfortunately, it goes hand in hand with depression. According to https://www.statista.com/, by October 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has claimed around 149 million jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean, making it one of the regions with the largest number of jobs lost during COVID-19. Read more about the effects of Corona Virus
According to a study published in Journal Occupation Health Psychology in 2019, people who lose jobs or job-related incentives such as, status, social contact, and time structure, contribute to increased depression. (Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/job-loss)
There are two types of unemployment, i.e. Long-term unemployment, and short-term unemployment. Prior is the one, which lasts for less than 26 weeks and the latter is the one lasting for more than 26 weeks.
Moreover, long-term unemployment has been found more destructive for mental health than the short-term.
Remember, being unemployed is not bad, but getting depressed and stop searching for a job is bad. You are not alone in this, many people in the world lose a job, with financial conditions, even worse than yours, but getting depressed is not the solution. Because depression and anxiety will ruin your mind earlier than it should be.
CAUSES OF UNEMPLOYMENT
With every coming day, the rate of unemployment is increasing and many factors lead to unemployment. Today, one of the main reasons why companies are downsizing is because of the Corona Virus or COVID-19 Pandemic.
1. UNEMPLOYMENT DUE TO PANDEMIC
Due to the several lockdowns in different countries, the global supply chain was affected. Despite the government provision of stimulus packages, the impact of COVID-19 still has brought the economy to its knees. Many employers have enforced a retrenchment to combat the effect of the Corona Virus to the economy. The main affected industries are the following: Airlines, Casinos and Gaming and Leisure Facilities.
2. INCREASE IN POPULATION
The increasing population, the more competitors for a single post, thus increasing the number of jobless people. This in turn increases the number of depressed people.
3. POVERTY
We all know that unemployment increases poverty, but the converse is also true. This is because poverty hinders people from getting good opportunities such as higher education, opportunities to get employed.
The list doesn’t end here! Many other reasons cause unemployment and you might be the victim of one of those. But our point of discussion is not this, rather the aftereffect of unemployment.
EFFECTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT:
Whatever the underlying effects of unemployment are, they may gradually impact your mental health and may lead to psychological problems.
1. SELF ESTEEM ISSUE
When you lose your job, you think that now everyone will judge you, your friends and family. So, you decide not to talk about this to anyone anymore because you feel ashamed. This is not the right choice. Talking with people will make you clearer about things. But always choose the right person to talk with.
2. FAMILY TENSIONS
The first thought that comes to our minds when we become unemployed, is “how I’ll earn now?”, “how I’ll bring up my family?” Therefore, from here the FAMILY TENSIONS perk and in the long run can have an impact in your mental health.
3. SOCIETAL PRESSURE
Whatever you are doing, societal pressure is always there. So, be relaxed and sit with the people who are positive and make you feel confident. Do whatever it is that makes you happy.
Always remember the formula of “Feel good, be good”.
4. PHYSICAL HEALTH
Unemployment causes depression, stress, and anxiety. This increases the risks of cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and sometimes underlying mental health issues. We must keep our physical health and mental health in its top condition to face all of the challenges that are up ahead.
WHY DO WE FEEL DEPRESSED WHEN WE ARE UNEMPLOYED?
Whatever the effects are, the ultimate effect of unemployment is on mental health and wellbeing. The brain is one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies. So, we must get rid of the problems that are dangerous to our mental health. When we are not getting the job or lose it, we think that it’s the last time and now we will not be getting the new one. This makes us feel more depressed and stressed. Societal pressure, family tensions, financial issues, etc. more or less can lead to depression and mental illness in the long run.
Thomas Edison once said, “I haven’t failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”. A good mindset to take at this time. Even if we fail, we must continue and move forward.
HANDLING UNEMPLOYEMENT
Being unemployed or jobless can make you feel depressed sometimes, but you have to cope with it and not make it into a big issue.
1. STAY CALM
This is the first and the most important point to remember. Difficulties are part of your life. Don’t make them a headache. Just sit back, calm down, and be relaxed. Think about what you can do now. What options do you have right now? Opt for the option that will best suit you and take it on without any fear.
2. PRACTICE MEDITATION
Even though there are many ways to get rid of depression, but daily meditation practice can help cope up with depression a lot. Through meditation, you can get rid of all the hopeless and depressing thoughts coming into your mind. You learn to become more focused and concentrated only on your actual goal than thinking about all the unnecessary kinds of stuff that lead to depression.
3. BE PRODUCTIVE
If you were recently retrenched or doesn’t have anything to do yet, it doesn’t mean that it’s time to keep sleeping or just watching television and social media all the time. It’s the time to discover new opportunities, it’s the time to learn and discover new skills, and it’s the time to grow and be productive.
4. BROADEN SOCIAL NETWORKS
Meeting with different people (try to meet and talk with the positive people), talking with them, will always make you relaxed for some time. Sometimes, you might also get some advice from them. You can also utilize the power of internet and do this online.
5. BE POSITIVE
Always keep a positive outlook on things. What happened if you lost a single job? Numerous new opportunities are waiting for you! Life will give you many new opportunities. You just have to keep working hard and find new ways.
Being unemployed doesn’t mean that you are not appropriate for some job, rather it means that something much better is waiting for you. So, wait for something very good going to happen soon in your life. You have to help yourself in maintaining good mental health.
6. FIND NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Difficulties are always there to make you learn something new. It might be a challenge for you. It might be the time to learn endurance. Never get depressed about the negative things in your life. Remember, every cloud has a silver lining. These difficulties are the glad tidings of something positive going to happen in your life soon. Things will get better. Something much better might be waiting for you and your destiny wants to take you there. Go and search for them.
“You fail when you stop trying”
~Albert Einstein
Last but not the least, NEVER GIVE UP, because you are strong and hurdles are only in the way of strong ones! Just work and, never lose hope.
