Mar. 7--Losing a job can be emotional, but those who are unemployed may face a host of anxiety-producing situations on top of being out of work.

These include the frustration of not being able to find another job, having to pay the same number of bills with less income, losing identity and struggling to feel valuable, and dealing with the stigma of being unemployed -- all of which can lead to serious mental issues.

Molly McCoy Brack, director of the Agora Crisis Center on the University of New Mexico's campus, says the center's help line volunteers have been receiving more calls about unemployment and related problems since the recession hit.

The center got 10,000 calls last year -- 1,000 more calls than in 2008.

Many of them deal with anxiety and depression as well as self-esteem issues.

"Anxiety is huge with people just worrying about what's going to happen. Then depression comes, then physical problems," she said. "Depression can manifest. Then you can't sleep, can't eat."

The center also takes suicide calls. McCoy Brack noted that suicide rates increase not in recessions but in times of job loss.

Tim Ketelaar, an associate professor of psychology at New Mexico State University, said getting laid off is one of life's major stresses and can have long-term emotional effects. He cited a study done in the late 1960s and early 1970s by psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe that found getting laid off to be more stressful than getting a mortgage or foreclosing on a home, but not as stressful as getting married or divorced.

Ketelaar said another psychology researcher from the University of Illinois, Ed Diener, found that a person's level of happiness will decrease after being fired and tends to stay lower for several years.

"In other words, not only does unemployment cause an immediate surge in unhappiness, but the unemployed seem to take a long-term hit to their emotional immune system," Ketelaar said.

That means it may take months or years to recover, he said, adding that strong social relationships are really the key to maintaining happiness through life's ups and downs.

Indeed, Geraldine Arellano, who has been out of work since October, says, "It's depressing not having a job. It's depressing not getting a job," but she has found solace from the stress of being unemployed by taking walks and talking to fellow unemployed people.

Ed Fallon, a former pilot who has been out of work for 15 months, said he finds time to go to the gym and the golf course when he can afford it. He also continues to develop his work skills with friends.

"You have to move forward. You have to find help with faith or friends," he said. "You have to stay busy and you have to stay active."

Arlene Luchetti, a career adviser at Workforce Connection, said advisers will refer those in need to organizations that can provide financial and emotional assistance.

"We are not specialists in emotional problems. We just try to give them resources, basic workshops or classes, just keep them busy," she said.

Services are open to all employed and unemployed.

Resources

New Mexico Workforce Connection, 501 Mountain NE in Albuquerque: Offers career workshops, career councilors and referrals to employed and unemployed. Visit www.mrcog-nm.gov and click on "Workforce" tab for more information or other locations.

Agora Crisis Center: A listening and referral service, 1-866-HELP-1-NM or 277-3013 in Albuquerque

United Way 211 service:

Information and referral service in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia counties. Dial 211 or 505-245-1735 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit www.uwcnm. org and click on "Find Help 2-1-1."

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