Our topic is"unempoyment"

We will sing the song with tittle " stand 

   by me'' Shayne wards

Paragraphs

  

The facts

Unemployment is a reality for many young people. You may be skilled, qualified, willing to work, ready for work and desperately wanting a job, but this does not guarantee you will get work, because in many places there just are not enough jobs around for everyone.

This is different from the time when your mum, dad or other adults left school, and people could get a job if they wanted one. Many young people today, no matter what they do or how hard they try, just can't get a job!

It's a health hazard!

So yeah, you might say, "What has work got to do with health?" Well, the answer is simple. If you really want to work and you can't get a job, it can have a major impact on how you feel, the choices you make and how well you can look after yourself. It can make you feel low, bored, frustrated or sick.

Here are some ways unemployment can affect health:
Boredom - Many people say the days become long and a reason to get out of bed becomes more difficult to find.
"Life tends to get a bit grey after a while, you just sort of sit and you're looking at the same four walls day in and day out. It (your life) just gets smaller and smaller." - Surviving Unemployment Project
"I just get up and think 'what can I do?' I can't think of anything to do." - Surviving Unemployment Project


epression -You might start to feel low or upset, like you are a failure. You might start to feel there is something wrong with you. Sometimes people get so low they begin to feel suicidal.


Stress - The pressure! I bet you have heard things like "You are just not trying", "Try harder", "I had no trouble getting a job, why can't you?" "How are you going to pay the rent or the phone bill?" "How are you going to afford to buy clothes for your interview?" The list goes on
Money - Money is something that helps you socialise, do fun things, buy new clothes, eat good food, buy any medication you need, look after yourself, have a nice environment to live in, etc. If you don't have a job you may not be able to afford some things that are important to your health.


Loneliness/isolation - Humans are social beings! The chance of contact with others decreases when you aren't working
Mental illness - Some studies show a link between unemployment and mental illness - things like insomnia (not being able to sleep), anxiety, and clinical depression
Drug, tobacco and alcohol use - there is a link between unemployment and increased drug, tobacco and alcohol use

"Stressed. Then that's where the drugs come into it a lot, it escapes you, you just want to escape the bills and escape the ... rent and escape this and escape that." - Surviving Unemployment Project

Physical health - people who are unemployed get sick more often and more seriously than people who are working

Hints to help out

If you can't get a job, (because there are just not enough to go around), there are things you and others can do to keep healthy and positive in your life!

Here are a few tips for keeping healthy on the inside and out
Remind yourself that if you have tried hard, but been unable to get a job, it's not your fault
"I reckon, if people were more encouraging instead of like putting people down all the time, you could cope." - Surviving Unemployment Project
Be aware of how unemployment can affect you and your life. Stand up to how it affects you, so it doesn't take you over! Ask yourself things like,
"What is it that is making me feel depressed?"
"What is happening when I feel like I am useless, worthless or don't have anything to offer?"

Do things you enjoy doing, and try learning new activities. Have some fun - without feeling guilty. Go to your local youth or recreation centre and see if there are things you can do that are cheap or free. Give yourself permission to enjoy your life and enjoy being young!


Eat healthy food and get some exercise! Say bye to burgers or chips for dinner every night (it can be cheaper too!) and go for a walk, run, skate, skip, jump, swim, climb


Cut down on cigarettes, alcohol and fatty foods. They keep you poor, as well as harm your health

Make some plans. Plan your time so you have a range of things to keep you busy each day. This can be a good way to fill in your time.