Staying Healthy In Bad Job Market

Times are tough and even tougher if you are unemployed. The jobless rate is at the highest level its been in nearly three years in South Carolina and its hurting people financially as well as mentally.
Charles Bruce is a regular at Career Source in Spartanburg. The 44 year old has worked in manufacturing for years and was recently laid off.
He says, "It can get discouraging. Emotionally it can make you depressed, lethargic, hard to get going in the morning because you have no where to go."

He says he's trying to keep his spirits up while he looks for work but its hard.

According to Bruce, "My wife only works part time so its financial it is difficult and tends to lead to a lot of anxiety a lot of tension in the house and in the marriage."

Dr. Roger Rhoades says he is seeing many clients suffering mentally and physically because of the current job market.

He says "What we do for a living, the roles we have are so significant in our identity and when you take that away and say you are not wanted, you don't have a place, imagine the loss and grief over that."

He argues if you find yourself without a job, slipping into depression, the best thing you can do is keep your routine and get out of the house.

Dr. Rhoades says, "Interacting with human beings is an incredible thing you need to get employed again because a lot of times if I isolate and am depressed I don't communicate well or really get a long with people well at that point and that is a vibe you give off when you go for a job and people catch that and say I don't want any part of that. "

According to Dr. Rhoades talk to a pastor or your friends and family if you can't see a counselor. He says its amazing what a little interaction will do.
For Charles, that can be hard some days but he says he has to force himself because he can't afford to lose more than his job.
If you are an employee who lost your job or if you are an employer wanting to know how to deal with people being laid off, the P.A.C.E. Center is having a special program to help you cope with these issues.
It is December 3, 2008 at Spartanburg Community College in the Commissioner's Dining Room from 9am to 12pm. The program is free, but they ask that you pre-register. You can do that by clicking this link or calling 864-583-5802.
If you would like more information on free help finding a job contact Career Source at 864-562-4168 or click on this link.