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A New York Times/CBS News Poll shows that almost half of those who have lost their jobs suffer from depression or anxiety. One local center is doing its part to help. KSMU’s Justin Lux has the story.
With the recent economic downturn, unemployment is a sad reality and there are those finding it difficult to deal with the stresses of losing their jobs.
The Ozarks Counseling Center has received a $1,000 grant from the Musgrave Foundation to help those who are experiencing depression and anxiety due to their unemployment.
Steve Johnson, the executive director at the Ozarks Counseling Center, says that for some, their careers define who they are.
“I think for a lot of folks it’s a sense of loss of self-esteem. We put so much of ourselves and our view of ourselves into what we do,” says Johnson.
One unemployed high school teacher says that unfortunately, in teaching, schools have budgetary obligations so teachers who have advanced degrees and command higher salaries often lose out on jobs to those who have less experience.
The center will continue to do individual counseling, but will also provide counseling for couples. Johnson says he often sees unemployment put stress on marriages and entire families.
The poll carried out by the New York Times and CBS News found that about four in ten of the unemployed parents surveyed noticed behavioral changes in their children that they attribute to their difficulty in finding work.
As those out of work continue to face constant anxiety, the center says it’s important to always be networking and to continue to look for a job. Also, exercise and getting out of the house to socialize can help a person’s overall happiness when dealing with unemployment.
For KSMU News, I’m Justin Lux.
