Its 8:30 am in Kigali but the streets are empty. Now this could have been a holiday but no, people are staying home to keep safe from the ravaging coronavirus pandemic. Most businesses have closed down, those that are still operating stand risk of running bankrupt, and all of this is happening because the pandemic is not just a health crisis, but one that’s affecting every sector. This means that a staggering number of people are suddenly losing their jobs. How anyone can deal with this situation can be intensified by the unsteadiness of the current situation because, whereas job loss can send one into a flight mode, losing one during such a crisis can be emotionally wracking. When someone is laid off or fired from their job, chances are high for them to fall into major depression, according to psychologist and counsellor Shadia Nansasi. She explains that because a job is more than a source of income, its sudden loss can translate into anxiety and development of insecurities. “Being employed is considered a fundamental social role and source of identity. This is why an employee is bound to suffer from societal stigma when he or she loses a job,” she says. Effects of job loss involve a range of concerns, and when someone doesn’t fight hard or seek professional help, they can suffer long term physical and mental effects. Nansasi says this kind of loss presents a source of severe stress which comes as a result of a sudden disruption to a major social role. “There is possibility for one to suffer from chronic stress resulting from the economic and psychological strain. Job loss may also instigate a critical sense of deprivation, all of which can be detrimental to someone’s mental health.” Job loss and unemployment can as well diminish someone’s self-esteem, the counsellor adds. What happens to your body when you are unemployed? An article on the Huffpost website indicates that challenges with sleep are one of the signs that job loss is impacting your health. You might have trouble falling asleep, have trouble staying asleep, or find yourself getting up earlier than planned. One or two nights of sleeplessness are okay, but if it’s a pattern, it’s concerning. This starts to become worrisome if that’s happening over a long period of time, the article indicates. Your mental health is also bound to get worse. The longer you go without a job, the more likely you are to report having depression. Some tend to lose interest in activities they used to enjoy, and start to experience a low mood more often, which can look like sadness and feeling down and it can also manifest as anger or irritability. Counsellor Kibogora Nsoro explains that being fired or laid off can be very devastating for most people, it can lead to fear, loss of enjoyment and can also make one feel unappreciated. He cites stress (as a result of being laid off) which he says can result in weight gain/loss. Loss of self-esteem is another consequence of job loss. If a person is bankrupt as a result of being laid off, they can lose self-confidence thinking that they can no longer add value to anything. The counsellor says this kind of loss also carries with it a sense of failure and hopelessness, and a natural tendency to feel a sense of desperation, and this can affect health as well as constrain relationships. How to cope The key to getting through it is to acknowledge the emotions of sadness and despair, Nansasi recommends. “Allow yourself to grieve, you have to acknowledge the pain and start asking yourself the most important question which is how to move forward.” She encourages one to connect or reconnect with people who can help in terms of job opportunities. “This can be a really tough move right now, but what’s important is not to give up. Do what you have to do to survive,” she counsels. Cutting down on your budget is highly recommendable in a state like this. Choose to only spend on essentials like medication and groceries, and this too should be done minimally. Nsoro also recommends seeking help from family and friends. “While this may be hard or even embarrassing, you need to overcome this and do what you need to do. Open up to your close friends about your situation and request for financial help.” Take care of your body through physical activities, for example playing sports, taking a yoga class, and you can also try an inexpensive good diet, he recommends. “Try doing something to help you feel good, such as meditation, walking, listening to music, exploring different opportunities. If you are highly skilled in a certain area of expertise you can seek freelancing opportunity or consulting jobs.” Keep a journal as you explore new ideas outside of your discipline by writing them down is vital, he adds. The Huffpost article also encourages making a routine by building a structure of a work day. The schedule of a new routine will give you something you look forward to. Your new schedule can include physical exercise, lunch dates and breaks from your job search. Because of social distancing, meeting up with your friends may not be possible right now, but you can schedule online social dates like virtual game nights. Being positive can also be very helpful in this situation. Watch out for all-or-nothing thinking, when people are down and demoralised, they can overlook the positive. However, it is important to push back against these distorted thoughts that can lead to feelings of helplessness and keep a credit list where you track any actions you’ve taken that you are proud of.
