Employment and Mental Health During a Pandemic
After months of living through the pandemic, many students are still unemployed which has adversely impacted their mental health. I consider myself a lucky one because I have a job and that has helped keep me sane.
In March, many of our lives changed drastically. Those who lost their job in the beginning have struggled with mental health issues influenced by fear, isolation and a lack of productivity.
In extreme cases, this has resulted in drug abuse, depression and suicide. With massive amounts of sudden free time, many people did not know what to do with themselves.
In June, the Center for Disease Control survey of people ages 18-35 found that 41 percent of respondents reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition, including anxiety disorder or depressive disorder. Being ordered to stay cooped up inside and wait around for answers has definitely taken a toll on several people.
Without the in-person connections and interactions, students are forced to find something to fill that void. One such person is Mari Haywood, a student at Highline Community College.
Haywood was employed at American Multi-Cinema theaters as an assistant manager before being laid off after the wave of coronavirus hit. She now spends the majority of the day on her phone “trying to stay connected”. Haywood has practiced social distancing by using social media as a source of entertainment.
Haywood said that she still fears the virus and keeps her physical interactions to a minimum. “Because we don’t really know what this virus is, I like to stay in the house. I’d rather be safe than sorry,” said Haywood.
While being months into the pandemic, there are still numerous people that hold fear of being around big groups. This is an example of how anxiety starts, and can lead to depression.
My story
I started working at Safeway a week after the governor issued the state of emergency and I have been there since. I can not imagine how it would be for me if I had not been working this whole time, and in some ways, working during the pandemic kept me sane.
With me being a very social person, work gives me an opportunity to communicate face to face with customers, providing a sense of normality. In the beginning, I was terrified. I had to conquer my fear because I have expenses to pay. I could have drawn unemployment but that was not a promising or stable option.
Within those first couple months, I was depressed about not being able to complete high school the traditional way. Starting out as a checker, I worked long hours to avoid these thoughts. People used to thank me and call me a “hero” for working. I suppose I was a little bold getting a job at the grocery store during a pandemic but I did not feel like a hero.
If you are suffering from depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts, please do not hesitate to contact one of the Green River counselors for help. You can contact Counseling Services at 253-833-9111 ext. 2460, or via its website at https://www.greenriver.edu/campus/campus-resources/counseling-services/.
