Redundancies will lead to a mental health crisis. Here's what you can do to protect yourself

Date: Wednesday 15 Jul 2020

Experts warn that a wave of coronavirus-related job losses is likely to have a significant impact on the nation's wellbeing

By Cara McGoogan

Lockdown might be easing, but the health crisis is far from over. In fact, Britain could be facing a new wave of illness as deep economic effects emerge –a mental health crisis sparked by swathes of redundancies.

The furlough scheme is waning and businesses are realising how severe the long-term effects of the coronavirus recession will be. James Reed, chairman of Reed, has said there could be a “tsunami of job losses” as the 1.1 million companies who have furloughed 9.4 million workers are weaned off government support.

Citizen Advice is already receiving calls every two minutes from people seeking advice about redundancy, and its website has had a record-breaking 4.4 million views since March 23, both signs of what it calls an “escalating employment crisis”.

More than 200,000 job cuts have been announced by British companies according to recent figures, with major employers such as Rolls-Royce, British Airways and BP announcing plans to make thousands of people redundant.

And while the Treasury is outlining a package aimed at kick-starting the economy, there's an expectation that more people will lose their jobs in the near future. Even those at the top of society aren’t immune – the Royal Family this week said it will make hundreds of people redundant.

Redundancy can deal a heavy blow to mental health, causing depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, and stress. Researchers at the University of Birmingham found people who had been made redundant suffered from problems with their self-esteem and relationships.

“We know that there is a link between issues like job insecurity, financial worries, unemployment, and mental health,” says Emma Mamo, head of workplace wellbeing at Mind. “Those facing redundancies could be at greater risk of worsening mental health.”

Research in the Journal of Vocational Behaviour found the average number of unemployed people with mental health problems was 34 per cent, compared with 16 per cent in the general population. Added to this, 65 per cent of adults and 75 per cent of young people with existing mental health conditions report worse mental health since the outbreak began, according to research from Mind.

Work forms a core part of people’s identity, motivates them, and provides a vital source of income, continues Mamo, which can compound to have a negative impact on mental health.

“Evidence suggests that redundancies can be particularly difficult for men, perhaps because of outdated and inaccurate, but nonetheless pervasive, gender stereotypes about their role in generating income and providing for families,” she says.

Companies have shown a willingness to be open with employees during the coronavirus pandemic, providing them with information about their financial situation and the possibility of redundancies. But there are some steps individuals can take to mitigate the impact on their mental health should they lose their job.

The Headspace app has offered a free one-year subscription to all unemployed and furloughed workers, which it says can help train the mind to be more resilient and less distracted.

“The level of stress can feel overwhelming and hard to escape,” says Renate Nyborg, general manager for Europe at Headspace. “It can affect our personal relationships, sleep, and even physical health. This can trickle down into every aspect of our lives, making it hard to think, focus or function.

“By incorporating mindfulness into our daily lives – for as little as 10 minutes a day – we can train our mind to be more resilient, more confident, and engage with whatever we are doing without distraction, inner dialogue or judgment.”

Mamo recommends people who are struggling with their mental health talk to someone they trust, be open with their family and loved ones, and don’t feel scared to ask for help.

“If you are facing redundancy, try to look after yourself,” says Mamo. “Know your rights, plan and organise your money, and take some time to look after your wellbeing.”

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, you could create a routine that involves getting up at the same time every day, while making sure you get enough sleep, limiting the time you spend looking for new work to around two hours per day, and exercising to boost endorphins.

Organisations such as Mind, Citizens Advice, and the Money Advice Service offer free support to people who have been made redundant and those in fear of losing their job.

Redundancies will lead to a mental health crisis. Here's what you can do to protect yourself

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