Within the state of Tennessee, many citizens are unemployed. In fact, the statewide rate of unemployment is 4.9%, which has increased 0.1% since November.
Unemployment rates, which are a massive concern throughout the state, are also impacting people throughout the nation as well. In fact, the impacts can far exceed those of just monetary consequences, as those who become unemployed and/or remain unemployed can suffer significant psychological distress. According to a recent Gallup poll, those Americans who are unemployed are two-times more likely than those with full-time jobs to be treated for depression. Individuals who have been unemployed for 27 weeks or longer suffer depression at a rate of 18%, which equals out to one in five individuals.
What Exactly is Depression?
Despite an increase in the public’s awareness of mental illnesses like depression, some individuals still place a stigma on what it means to suffer from depression. This illness is a complex psychological condition that can cause a series of negative impacts in one’s life, as well as make it impossible for an individual to function in a healthy manner. For most people who grapple with depression, some form of treatment is required in order to overcome the challenges that this disorder can present.
When someone is suffering from depression, he or she is often struggling with severe emotional issues that could remain constant throughout his or her entire life. Some of the most common symptoms of depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), include the following:
- Persistent sadness
- Bodily aches and pains
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Irritability
- Changes in weight
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Problems with sleep
- Loss of interest in activities
- Problems concentrating
- Decreased energy
- Restlessness
It is important to know that not everyone who is depressed is going to experience and/or display each one of these symptoms. Every person who is battling depression will present with his or her own set of symptoms. However, it is imperative to know what to keep an eye out for if you or someone you love has become or has remained unemployed.
How Depression and Unemployment Relate
Depression can be caused by a number of different things, including major life changes such as becoming unemployed.
For many, developing a career is important. Therefore, when an individual is laid off or is fired, it can be extremely devastating, especially if one’s career has become part of his or her identity. Losing one’s job can trigger feelings of worthlessness, anger, agitation, and extreme sadness, all of which can serve as a catalyst for the development of depression.
In other instances, the loss of a job represents extreme failure – failure to be of value to an employer, failure to provide for one’s family, and so on. Pairing feelings of low self-esteem with the inability to provide for one’s family can be crippling in ways that cause an individual to completely close him or herself off physically, mentally, and emotionally. Feeling unable to move forward and look for ways to get back on his or her feet, an individual can begin to sink into a severe depression that not only puts him or herself at risk, but also negatively affects those around him or her.
Even those who work endlessly to obtain a new job can suffer from depression, especially if they are not having success in doing so. In states like Tennessee where unemployment rates are high, it can be extremely challenging to get another job. This roadblock can cause feelings of frustration, hopelessness, and, in the end, sadness, which could also lead to the development of depression even in those who are working to make a difference within their lives.
At Mirror Lake Recovery Center, we are pleased to help serve those in the area, and even those who come from out-of-town, who are grappling with depression that has been caused by unemployment or any other risk factor. Through the provision of our comprehensive treatment approaches, we are confident that we can help improve the lives of those who are feeling trapped by their depression and who wish to achieve a more positive outlook.
