Coping with Job Loss in Calgary: How It Impacts Mental Health and How Therapy Can Help
In today’s unpredictable job market, losing a job is an increasingly common and stressful experience. Recent reports show that companies like Imperial Oil are cutting 20% of their workforce, while Alberta Health Services has laid off over 100 employees and eliminated 300 vacant positions. Even major corporations such as ConocoPhillips and Parkland Corporation are planning significant staff reductions. For many Calgary residents, these shifts create not only financial stress but also a serious impact on mental health.
The Emotional Toll of Job Loss
Job loss affects more than just income—it can shake your sense of identity, self-worth, and daily routine. Common emotional responses include:
Anxiety and worry: Financial concerns and uncertainty about future employment can be overwhelming, especially in today’s competitive job market.
Depression and low mood: Feelings of hopelessness often arise when job searches feel slow or opportunities scarce.
Loss of confidence: Questions like “Am I good enough?” or “Will I find another job?” can dominate thoughts.
Isolation: Being out of a work environment may lead to social disconnection and loneliness.
These feelings are compounded by economic uncertainty in Calgary’s major industries, leaving even highly skilled professionals feeling vulnerable.
How Job Loss Impacts Mental Health
The stress of unemployment doesn’t just affect your mood—it can influence your overall well-being:
Sleep disturbances: Anxiety may make it difficult to fall or stay asleep.
Physical symptoms: Stress can show up as headaches, digestive issues, or chronic fatigue.
Impaired decision-making: Persistent worry can make planning next steps difficult.
Strained relationships: Emotional tension can spill over into family and friendships.
Recognizing these effects is the first step toward managing them effectively.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy provides a safe space to process emotions, build coping strategies, and regain confidence during periods of unemployment. Some ways therapy can help include:
Managing Anxiety: Learn tools to reduce worry, cope with uncertainty, and stay grounded.
Building Resilience: Strategies to maintain motivation and confidence while navigating job searches.
Addressing Depression: Identify negative thought patterns and replace them with constructive perspectives.
Enhancing Decision-Making: Gain clarity to explore career options and set realistic goals.
Maintaining Healthy Routines: Keeping structure in your day supports emotional stability.
In addition to these strategies and tools, we like to take a deeper look at limiting beliefs that form as a result of this experience. Feeling “I am not good enough,” “I am a failure,” “I will not succeed,” “I am incapable,” “I am at risk financially” are just a few that come to mind with job loss. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) can help rewire the brain and help you to let go of these limiting beliefs that trigger severe anxiety and distress leaving you feeling less triggered, and more in control of your emotional well-being.
Taking Action
While losing a job can feel like a setback, it can also be an opportunity for growth. Therapy offers guidance, emotional support, and practical tools to navigate uncertainty, build resilience, and move toward a positive future.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, low mood, or stress following job loss in Calgary, reaching out to a licensed therapist can make a significant difference. Investing in your mental health now can help you cope, recover, and confidently take the next steps in your career journey.