CALGARY – The Calgary Counselling Centre plans to introduce three new support groups to help those impacted by job loss.
“Since last November we’ve seen about a 15 per cent increase in people requesting services,” said Dr. Robbie Babins-Wagner, Chief Executive Officer with the Calgary Counselling Centre. “To the end of June we’ve had 8,300 requests this year, which is a 53-year record!”
The centre has hired additional staff to cope with the increase in demand, but Babins-Wagner says they felt more needed to be done to help people get through this stressful period of time.
“What we’ve decided to do, starting in mid-January, is to offer a program for men, a program for women and a program for couples to help them learn the skills to manage and cope during these uncertain times.”
The groups will run once a week for approximately six weeks. Anyone who would like more information should call the Calgary Counselling Centre at 403-691-5991
According to a recent Statistics Canada report, the Alberta economy has lost 66,000 jobs since November, 2014. Babins-Wagner says people who have lost their job are at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety and depression, but they can reduce their risk by practicing self-care and reaching out for help.
“Get out of the house and go and find a way to connect with people; connect with former work colleagues and connect with friends.”
Other ways to reduce your risk of anxiety and depression following job loss:
- Volunteer
- Begin an exercise program or tackle a new fitness goal
- Arrange for talk therapy
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