During the job search, 53% said they felt like they’d lost a piece of themselves. Because of their unemployment, 56% admitted that they’ve had greater emotional or mental health concerns, such as https://remotemode.net/blog/job-search-depression-exists-and-it-has-to-be-addressed/ anxiety or depression. It is not uncommon for people to use their jobs as a way to form an identity, so when the rug is pulled under your feet and left without work, reality can seem daunting.
- And they’re certainly not going to help your psychological well-being.
- At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, in April 2020, the employment rate was a whopping 14.7%.
- An up-to-date treatment plan can help you better manage your symptoms, mood, and daily ability to function.
- You may even want to consider online support groups to connect you with people who relate to your situation.
- Surround yourself with positive people and refuse to give in to negativity and a victim mentality.
They were also more likely to have a higher quality of life, better mental health, and a better attitude toward their current and future employers. The study also found that being rejected negatively affected the job seekers’ self-worth, even though they were highly skilled and already employed. Public and private transportation jobs are those with the highest rates of depression, followed by real estate careers and jobs in social work. When we do not find a job right away, we may experience lower self-esteem and self-worth, along with a feeling of depression or hopelessness.
Ways to Handle Depression While You’re Unemployed
A 2013 study conducted by Gallup found that the longer adults in the U.S remain unemployed, the more likely they were to display signs of low psychological well-being. According to the study, one in five Americans who remains unemployed for more than a year has sought treatment for depression (Figure 1). The https://remotemode.net/ study also concluded that unemployed Americans are twice as likely to suffer from depression, compared to individuals with full-time jobs. After graduating from uni this was the ONLY good company that accepted me. Now with experience and all feel like nothing has changed, no one is getting back to me.
The study showed that 51% of these highly skilled job seekers had difficulty facing repetitive rejection. I started staying in touch with dozens of hiring managers and recruiters who had rejected me. The hiring manager had interviewed me for a position, and then sent me a standard rejection email. I was on the verge of giving up one day, when I decided to reach out to a hiring manager who had rejected me for a position. I started thinking that maybe I didn’t have the emotional intelligence and transferable skills to get an industry job. A job search can be a long and grueling process, and taking care of yourself throughout it is key—whatever that looks like for you.
Not applying for the correct jobs
Extract lessons from experiences, uplift yourself from setbacks, and concentrate on personal growth. Some foods that are recommended for dealing with depression are proteins, zinc, and B vitamins. When the body uses the protein tryptophan, it creates serotonin. While it does play a role in combating depression, it is not known exactly how serotonin does this. It’s been observed that zinc levels are often lower in those who are suffering from depression.
