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Job losses in energy industry directly linked with mental health in Calgary: study

Click to play video: 'Calgary Counselling Centre sees huge spike in help requests: layoffs'
Calgary Counselling Centre sees huge spike in help requests: layoffs
WATCH ABOVE: A new study by the Calgary Counselling Centre shows job losses are taking a big toll on mental health. That means a lot of heavy hearts and sleepless nights. But as Mia Sosiak reports, families are coping as best they can – Feb 9, 2016

A new study by the Calgary Counselling Centre suggests there’s a direct link between job losses in the energy industry and mental health in the city.

Since oil prices dropped, requests for help from the centre have spiked by a third — with a record 915 in January alone.

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The level of distress that clients are reporting keeps climbing, staff said.

“The increase in stress levels is really worrisome, because it tells us – it’s a bellwether for what’s happening in the community,” Robbie Babins-Wagner said.

The counselling staff said they can always tell once the economy starts rebounding, because reported stress levels of clients also improve.

Watch Mia Sosiak’s report above to see how one Calgary family is surviving ongoing layoffs in the energy industry.

READ MORE: What are your rights after being laid off?

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