I would like to share my opinion on a topic that is near and dear to my heart – the adverse effects of unemployment on mental health. As a strong advocate for mental health, I believe it’s important to shed light on this important issue and spread awareness about how unemployment can impact our mental well-being.
“Unemployment is bigger than apolitical party. It is a national danger and a national scandal”
(Ellen Wilkinson).
Financial independence has become inevitably essential for the survival of every individual. Unemployment affects the income of every family and it decreases the level of motivation that leads to different mental disorders. Unemployment causes poverty which can rise the burden of debts and that leads to various levels of mental stress. Mental health suffers greatly as a result of unemployment. When someone with excellent qualifications struggles to find a good career, it might be stressful for those individual to cope and survive.
There are several different ways where unemployment is affecting our mental health.
Unemployment leading to Depression
Unemployment having adverse effects on mental health, is the biggest factor causing depression. The fear of losing a job, and the fear of conditions after losing a job can cause depression. A study revealed that “A survey of American citizens found that people who are unemployed are twice as likely to partake in a depression treatment program, either previously or presently than people who are unemployed” (Taylor, E. M., Yanni, E. A., Guterbock, M., Harton, E., & Burke, H. 2014). This is also common in adults like fresh graduates who are unable to find a suitable job for a better career. I can easily say this from my own experience because I have gone through this before.
LOW SELF ESTEEM
It can be implied that unemployment is a result of the rejections one might face during a job hunt. Multiple rejections can contribute to lowering the self-esteem and self-confidence of an individual.
Fear of Income leading Sleeping Disorder
A life without financial security can be unsettling and consequently it causes insomnia. We usually overthink in this situation, we have fears of our income and about the standard of our living. These thoughts never let us sleep properly and disturbs our whole sleeping cycle
Anxiety is another side effect of unemployment. An unemployed individual experienced more anxiety than an employed one. The employed one is more relaxed because he/she knows well that they can survive in every situation. The unemployed one is always in worry about his finances of daily life.
Adverse Effects of Anxiety due to Unemployment
Increase in Suicides Rates
This is the more critical one in every society right now. If a person is unable to meet the so called standards of the society than this is more likely to happen at any cost. We can further elaborate this through the situation of Gilgit Baltistan.
As it is known that the suicidal rates in Gilgit Baltistan has raised in last few years. In November 19, 2022 in a report it was mentioned that the rise in suicidal case in Gilgit Baltistan was due to academic stress and unemployment. The number of cases in 2022 was twice that in 2021, reported Dawn.
Irritability: a psychological effect of unemployment
All the issues above combined with the stress of not being able to find another work can make people unhappy and irritable. They could be more likely to scream at their loved ones or lose their temper over every little matters that they ignored for years.
Not everyone is able to cope with their mental health challenges in a productive manner, especially if they are bored at home during the typical workweek. Instead, these people may turn to drugs or alcohol to make them feel better.
The psychological effects of unemployment may affect your spouse and family in addition to your own mental and behavioral health. Your loved ones may right now be experiencing a variety of feelings, including anxiety, depression and anger.
CONCLUSION
To overcome the above mentioned mental issues all we have to do is to improve quality of life and wellbeing. Every individual should give structure and a special routine to their daily life. We have to contribute our lives in doing something meaningful and something with a special purpose. The government should promote various opportunities for social inclusion and support. More and more job opportunities for graduates.
You would be more interested in reading IMPACTS OF ECONOMIC CRISIS ON MENTAL HEALTH
