Fear of not finding work again, what can we do?

There is an increasingly recurring topic on Internet forums: the fear of never finding a job again.. The economic recession, structural changes and the obvious impact of the current situation has left and will leave millions of people in a situation of unemployment. The psychological vulnerability that this reality outlines is, in many cases, devastating.

Likewise, there is an aspect that goes beyond even the economic factor. It is evident that if there is no income coming into a home, it is impossible to cope with day-to-day life. Now, we cannot forget that work also gives human beings a sense of meaning, purpose and personal fulfillment. When this fails the mental fracture can be immense.

This last reality is especially common among the younger population and among those of older age.. The former fear never being able to carry out a life project. The latter feel that they are no longer useful to society and, therefore, neither to themselves. All of this draws a canvas for mental health that is as problematic as it is dangerous, against which we should take action. We analyze it.

The fear of not finding work again, an increasingly common reality

There are many types of unemployment. The cyclical or conjunctural, for example, responds to years of recession, economic crises and those times in which an event has a great impact on the micro and macroeconomy. We also have seasonal unemployment, which is associated with the demand for labor depending on the time of year (summer, Christmas campaigns, etc.).

However, The fear of not finding work again responds, above all, to what is known as structural unemployment.. These are situations in which there is a mismatch between supply and demand. The second exceeds the first and this translates into an excess of people seeking employment in relation to the real offers in the existing labor market.

To the fear of not finding a job, perhaps another factor is added: the anguish of never leaving the cycle of temporary and precarious employment, which does not allow us to have either present or future prospects. All this has serious consequences.

Unemployment and mental health

Studies, such as those published a few months ago in the magazine The Lancet, They offer data that is as illustrative as it is alarming: The suicide rate has increased between 20 and 30% in the last year. Mental health problems associated with lack of employment could increase further in the coming months.

It is evident that Lack of work has a direct relationship with depression and loss of satisfaction with one’s life.. Thus, the more chronic this situation becomes and the more time passes without the person perceiving a change or a minimal hope that their situation can change, not only does the financial drama increase, psychological helplessness increases exponentially.

On the other hand, studies, such as those carried out by doctors Karsten Paul and Klaus Moser from the department of organizational and social psychology at the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany, indicate something important. Unemployment also affects the environment, so that many times family and social relationships are affected.

The fear of chronic unemployment: what can we do?

Who are we if we can’t do anything with our lives, or take care of our families or ourselves?… This is what those who are afraid of never finding work again think day after day. Therefore, the main dimensions that make up this psychological reality are helplessness on the one hand, helplessness, low self-esteem and depression.

Sooner or later, the person looks to the future without hope and when they no longer see a sense of change or improvement, they drift into that dark abyss of the very dangerous depressive disorder. What should we do in these circumstances? We reflect on it.

Avoid isolation

Lack of employment is often experienced with humiliation or shame. There are many who choose not to leave home, to socialize less and less. and immerse themselves in that job search online, so that they can spend many hours in front of the computer. This lack of socialization and stimulation increases the discomfort even more.

An essential first step in these cases is to talk to friends, family and acquaintances daily. Going out and maintaining an active social life will help us to strengthen our spirits, to have an active, strong and hopeful mind.

Have a healthy daily routine

Having daily guidelines that structure our hours will allow us to have greater control over ourselves and time management.

It is necessary to take care of the sleep-wake cycles. Waking up and going to bed at the same times is highly recommended. Integrating physical exercise daily is healthy, as is taking care of your own diet. We will distribute the hours of job search with those of social interaction, leisure and rest. It is important to dedicate time every day to develop a new skill or work on an exciting new project.

New future projects

We know that times are changing and that the future is going to be increasingly demanding. Sometimes, being able to innovate and think about new projects can serve as a powerful stimulus. It is possible that our job category is no longer as attractive or in demand, therefore, it never hurts to start training in new areas.

If we know what our strengths are, we can take advantage of them to think about interesting projects. If we also support ourselves with other people, that idea can become more motivating.

The need for psychological therapy in the face of the fear of not finding work again

In situations of chronic unemployment, social and psychological support is vital. This is an increasingly common reality that affects many groups in our society. It is necessary that we design close and effective care mechanisms to address the mental health of these people.

If we are going through this situation right now, let’s not hesitate to take the step. There are many who are going through the same thing, we are not alone and we deserve to be able to face this reality with all the resources and support possible. Being mentally well will allow us to find new solutions and sooner or later achieve a quality job offer. Let’s keep it in mind.

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