Dear Counsellor:

The world is in an economic crisis and people are losing their jobs. What can one do to cope in these troubled times?

- John

Dear John:

Faith

As a Christian, I would say that you should put your faith and trust in God, not in man. God will provide for you and this crisis will pass as have others. This is a Christian country and there are numerous churches across the island. The support system that the church provides will act as the backbone of the economic recovery.

POSITIVE THINKING

Where there is chaos, there are opportunities. Count your blessings and give thanks to God for what he has provided in the past and will provide in the future. Think positively that you will find another job and things will run smoothly again.

TIME FOR REFLECTION

In this busy world, we are running around like ants and are not thinking of life and its meaning. View this period of your life as a time to reassess and re-evaluate our options, dreams and aspirations. Get as much rest as possible. Think about these things. Were you on the right career path? Were you satisfied with your job? Did you have enough time for your family? When was the last time that you took a long holiday? Have you seen your mother lately?

Use these times to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Improve your personal relationships by being more empathetic, thoughtful and understanding. Forgive those who you think may have hurt you in this situation.

JOB HUNTING

Sit with a career counsellor and assess your options, skills, strategies and techniques. Many times, job skills are transferable, so be creative and flexible. Consider a job in a different field. Go back to school to do courses in marketable fields. Network with friends and relatives and get information about possible job openings. Volunteer in an organisation and learn new useful skills.

BE PRUDENT

You might have been given redundancy money. Put the money in the bank and let it rest for three months. Look at the options for use of the money. Don't spend foolishly or carelessly. You don't know when you will get another job. Put away the majority of the money for a rainy day.

BE WISE

Don't start drinking or smoking to drown your sorrows. If you are anxious or depressed, see a psychiatrist or psychologist. Grieve your loss but be prepared to move on with your life. Life is a journey filled with obstacles and disappointments. Think not of your past but embrace the future. The best is yet to come.

Want to bounce your personal and family problems off an expert? Email your questions to Dr Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson at yvonniebd@hotmail.com or telephone her at 978-8602.