LABO R U N I O N N EW SLETTER
COVID-19: Th e Pan dem ic's
Har m on Wor ker s like You !
Term: Spring | Issue 1 | Date: June 1, 2021 | By: Jacob Li
INTRODUCTION
With the COVID-19 crisis leaving its mark
all across the world, the economic downfall
and mental health struggles were only a
matter of time. As the lockdown began and
many work places began closing down
temporarily, it has had a huge financial loss
for many people.
Whether you are an employee of a
restaurant, a shopping store, an office, or a
supermarket, financial difficulties is at a all
time high right now. The social class and
occupation of each worker have played a
big role in the different levels of economic
hardships. This financial instability through
decreased workload and even job loss has
also taken a toll in the mental health of the
working class.
This is certainly a concern for many of you
workers as it is very crucial to maintain a
healthy mental and physical health even
when stress regarding your financial
stability is at jeopardy. It is no mystery
that economic struggles had a direct
correlation to one's mental well-being as
well. This newsletter is for those of you
who may have lost their jobs and to
remind you of the potential mental health
risks.
ECONOM IC
STRUGGLES
The pandemic has hurt the lives of many
workers through the mandatory
lockdown that occurred worldwide. It is
known that those with lower level
positions suffer more from income loss
and/or job loss.
Those who have higher "Occupational
Prestige Level" (CEO, manager, etc) had
less to worry about when it came to
their income. Rather than employers,
employees, like most of you, are in a
worse situations especially if that
position requires an in-person meetings
to function properly (i.e., Office job vs
restaurant job).
Additionally, it is possible that the rate
of job loss is even greater than before
because this is early pandemic data.
Many former employees like us are
struggling to get by due to the limited
job offers currently.
M ENTAL HEALTH
As we lose our jobs in this financial crisis,
some of the biggest mental health
problems faced during this pandemic has
been feeling of depression, anxiety and
loneliness.
Depression & Anxiety Disorder:
Loss of lower prestige (low income/
education) jobs led to a greater risk of
depression(26.2%). Therefore, decreased
workload and instant loss of income
resulted in higher feeling of depression.
Same could be said for the risk of health
anxiety. This extends to other health
concerns like lack of sleep(36%),
eating(32%), and worse chronic
conditions(12%). As job and income loss
leads to depression and anxiety, it will
eventually spread to even far severe
concerns if not cared properly. Our age
group of concern(25-49) with job loss
showed about 53% to suffer from
depression and/or anxiety.
Substance Abuse: .
These psychological consequences also
leads to substance abuse like drugs, pills,
and alcohol.
 W HY THIS SHOULD M ENTAL HEALTH CONTINUED.
CONCERN YOU! Substance abuse were higher for the unemployed which means many of you must be
careful.

The main thing we should maintain a Suicide:

good balance of is our mental health Worst case scenario is suicide and the rate is drastically increased for those who may
have become unemployed. The feeling of hopelessness along with additional health
and our physical state. The two are problems can all lead to the final deadly act.
interconnected in many ways and one All this together makes it apparent that the most vulnerable group is the middle to low
can lead to the rise or fall of the other. working class who may have severely reduced earnings. Lesser earning means even
greater risks mentioned and therefore, we highly suggest that everyone who may
Now more than ever, it is crucial to have become unemployed to maintain self-care no matter the circumstances.
put self-care above anything else.
Although us workers losing our jobs
may be tough, we must set the worries
W HAT TO DO NOW
aside and take care of ourselves by
doing the things we enjoy and makes
us feel at peace. The financial stability
of many people are still worrisome,
but there are still many ways that can
be resolved (i.e. Unemployment
benefits). Many workers like you will
be very vulnerable mentally and so try
not to have too many worrisome
thoughts and concerns. You may not
feel it yet but feelings of depression
and anxiety is not by choice and can
occur without any of our control. At this point in time we know what to do as citizens to deal with COVID-19 and so
Self-care is not only for the workers in that we can quickly go back to our ordinary lives. However, it is still important to
our community, but it also applies to remind everyone to:

everyone (kids, teens, elderly, etc). - Wash our Hands frequently

The information and data provided to - Wear a mask

you here should give you a good - Practice Social Distancing

- Stay home unless its an emergency
indications as to how it will affect
- Keep our surroundings clean and disinfected
people with jobs.
- Now we can get vaccinated which is the ultimate step into returning to the
life Pre-COVID
- Also apply for government unemployment benefits if it is necessary.

Witteveen, Dirk, and Eva Velthorst. ?Economic Hardship and Mental Health Complaints during COVID-19.?PNAS-Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United
States of America, PNAS, 12 Oct. 2020, www-pnas-org.proxy.library.ucsb.edu:9443/content/117/44/27277.

Nirmita Panchal, Rabah Kamal, and Feb 2021. ?The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use.?KFF, 14 Apr. 2021,
www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/.