Mental Health Challenges Faced By Laid-Off Educators
Educators help students gain understanding of theory, skills, encourage learner’s progress and development by fostering an atmosphere in which students can grow as an individual beyond required curriculum. It could include teachers, lecturers, professors, administrators, principals, librarians, and counselors who are involved in preparing students for continuing learning or future employment, offering emotional support.
The economic boom and recession are an inescapable part of the economy, however, when educators are laid off from their jobs, it has consequences not only on student achievement but also on their own mental health and wellbeing. Being laid off can be challenging as they disrupt the way we structure our day, finances, and relationships at the workplace.
Mental health challenges faced by laid off educators
Educators spend time to know their students, build trust with their families, know the culture of the educational institution, and bond with co-workers and their family. When these bonds are suddenly cut through lay off, it feels uprooted from a safe environment in life. Some people may feel embarrassed to share the news of a lay-off, or want to avoid the conversation around it, or cancel their social plans for a few weeks. They may have a tough time re-centering their professional identity – it may affect how educators see themselves as who they are and want to be. Being laid off may impact how they see their work, and their place in society. Educators are one of the main pillars of a strong and advanced society. Educator’s teaching purpose is not only to earn money but to give shape to the character so that in future the learners will be good citizens of the society. When educators are laid off, they may see their work as less valuable, and unessential in the large scheme of things. When the educators are laid off, they may incorrectly shoulder the blame by ruminating over possible explanations like - their teaching quality, knowledge and commitment may not meet the criteria of the organization. Educators may start doubting their own sense of purpose, may look at their skills as obsolete to the educational sector, and think of themselves as just a number to the organization.
Signs of grief related to job loss
It is fine to feel sad, angry, vulnerable, and grieve the loss of a job after getting laid off. Loss of a job is counted among the top five stressors a person can experience in their lifetime. For some of the laid off people, the loss of a job can negatively affect their health. The somatic reactions to grief may show up as not being able to sleep as before, loss of desire for food, and unintentional weight loss. Some educators may have a brief lack of interest in usual activities. Maybe some people no longer want to go out and meet people for a few weeks. Laid off educators can also have thought-related signs which include worry, mental pain, problems with making decisions, and even not being able to focus on important matters. Again, it’s natural that the laid off employee would experience any or all of these things.
How to seek support and recover from the grief of a job loss
Acknowledging your job loss and what comes with it, process how you feel about your loss of the job and then gently let negative feelings go; try to avoid ruminating. Be mindful of your negative feelings as they are, try not to actively stop feeling them.
Recognize that many layoffs aren’t personal, do not reflect badly on you, and you are not alone in this job situation. There are many factors beyond any employee’s control which cause the bulk of job loss.
Keep some time aside to think and explore new opportunities in the education and related sector.
Reassess your strengths and skills. Ask former colleagues to reflect on your strengths in case you may need help in making a list of your marketable skills. Take a moment and breathe deeply a few times. Assessing the situation with a calm mindset can lead to more productive choices. Keep asking yourself - “What is the one thing I could do today to move closer to finding a job?”
Practice talking about the layoff openly. Reach out to former educators, education industry experts, or job seekers to know a vacancy in the market or to create your own business plan.
Create an action plan for the future. Education is more than a job; it is a calling. Reminding yourself of your passion can help you to move on to the next phase of your career.
If you cannot stop worrying, become more irritable, can’t sleep at night, or are having somatic symptoms like increased heartbeats, you may be experiencing symptoms of high levels of anxiety and you could also benefit from talking to a mental health expert. Processing your feelings with an expert can be an opportunity to discover the grief related to job loss and find a way together to move on.
