How to Control Mental Health Issues After a Job Loss: Tips for Baby Boomers and Seniors

Suffering a job loss is never easy. The reality of a pending or sudden job loss can be and often is, a source of mental stress. Job loss or lay off can devastate people mentally, as well as emotionally, even when the job loss is the result of a well-earned and planned retirement. 

How to control mental health issues after a job loss becomes problematic for everyone to some extent, regardless of the reason for the job loss. Resiliency or bouncing back is the key to survival, according to the article “Emotional recovery from job loss.”

Mental health issues after a job loss can include sadness, anger, fear, anxiety and depression. There can be grief associated with the job loss or sadness at the loss of personal contact and communication with fellow employees. Of course, one cannot discount the effects of lost income associated with job loss. Alcohol and drug abuse may be a response to job loss, but not necessarily a good one.

No job is ever one hundred percent guaranteed or permanent. Some people begin their teen or young adult life with one job and stay there until they retire. Imagine the shock to their systems, when they suddenly have to take mandatory retirement. For others, who have anticipated and planned for retirement, it is still never easy.

Some people appear to bounce around from one job to another throughout their entire lives. As quickly as they start to work on a job, it ends for one reason or another and they have to find another one. This is not easy either. Repeated job loss can be mentally disheartening and depressing. Yet in some ways, having to continually change jobs prepares them with a higher level of skills than someone who does the same thing continually, year after year.

Consider the following tips for coping with job loss.

Seeing one door close and another one opening is a healthy way of looking at a pending or actual, job loss. There can be a wonderful sense of anticipation and excitement associated with job changes.

Resting briefly, by taking a well-deserved holiday or vacation in between different jobs, is a good way of relaxing while you contemplate your previous experience, cope with your job loss and prepare to apply for another job.

Remember that each job requires different skill sets and preparing for new employment by acquiring new skill sets prior to or immediately after your job loss, is one way to deal with having to find a new job in the immediate future. It may also be a good idea to upgrade your education.

Allowing yourself time to grieve for your job loss is realistic, but overcoming sadness, anger, fear, anxiety and depression demands you take a proactive approach to the transition or change of jobs. New jobs can be exciting and fun!

Retirement can be nostalgic in many ways, as you attempt to relive past experiences on your previous job. Remember that roads only go forward, onward and upward, as you accept new challenges in your retirement years. Enjoy the nostalgia, but just briefly.

Working with different people is like seeing stars that pass in the night. Many times, over the years of your employment, people will come and go, sometimes quickly. It is not always possible to stay in contact with them and is not necessary, either. Allowing the time and opportunity to make new friends after a job loss, is important in order to stay mentally healthy.

It is always a good idea to alert your physician if you feel that you have health problems related to excessive sadness, anger, fear, anxiety and depression from your job loss, as there may be concerns from a medical perspective. Remember that job loss can lead to heart attacks, strokes, etc. and warning signs are important. Do not ignore them.

Sudden, unexpected job loss can cause mental health concerns of a different nature, particularly when it involves trauma, loss of a business, loss of lives, blaming oneself or guilt. Job loss that includes financial loss can lead to suicide if the person or people suffering the loss are unable to cope.

Being aware that there are always possible options after a job loss is important. Many times, job loss can prove to be beneficial as a person begins to take a strong, healthy attitude to job loss. What a way to get a promotion!

Do you love your job?

Remember that your employment will not last forever. Consider how you will cope with your job loss when it happens and find out what options there are for the future. Prepare for your retirement and take a mentally healthy attitude toward job loss, at any time.