Losing your job is one of life's most stressful experiences. The financial uncertainty, loss of identity, and disrupted routine can have a serious impact on your mental health. You are not alone — and there is real, practical support available.
Research consistently shows that redundancy can trigger feelings similar to bereavement: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, and eventually acceptance. Many people also experience anxiety about money, their career identity, and what colleagues or family will think. Recognising these feelings as normal — not a sign of weakness — is the first step to managing them.
Samaritans: Call 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day) — not just for crisis situations. They are trained to listen whenever you need to talk.
Mind: Visit mind.org.uk for information on anxiety, depression, and finding local mental health services.
NHS Every Mind Matters: nhs.uk/every-mind-matters — free personalised mental health plan and guided self-help tools.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Many employers provide confidential counselling through an EAP — check your employee handbook even after you leave, as cover sometimes extends for 30–90 days after employment ends.
Maintain structure: Keep a daily routine with a consistent wake time, meals, and planned activities. The loss of workplace structure is one of the hardest aspects of redundancy.
Stay active: Exercise is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression. Even a 30-minute walk each day makes a significant difference.
Talk to people you trust: Social isolation makes things worse. Tell friends and family what you are going through — most will want to help.
Limit job-searching to set hours: Applying for jobs all day, every day is exhausting and counterproductive. Set aside 2–3 hours each morning, then close your laptop.
Focus on what you can control: Concentrate on your CV, your skills, and the applications you send — not on what hiring managers think or how long the process takes.
Most people who go through redundancy look back and see it as a turning point — an opportunity to change direction, discover new skills, or move to a role that fits them better. The difficult period is temporary, even when it does not feel that way.