Managing Your Mental Health During Mass Layoffs

Mass layoffs have become an unfortunate reality in the creative industry, leaving both those who lose their jobs and those who remain grappling with complex emotions. Whether you're dealing with survivor's guilt or processing your own job loss, the psychological impact can be profound and lasting.

This question was answered by Ash King, psychologist, writer/designer and cyberpsychology researcher at the University of Sydney, who specialises in helping creatives navigate mental health challenges, and Jess Lilley, Creative Director and Founder of The Open Arms in Melbourne, with over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry and a deep understanding of workplace dynamics in creative environments. The discussion was hosted by Andy Wright, Founder of Never Not Creative and CEO of Streamtime.

Recognising the Human Response

When mass layoffs hit, it's crucial to understand that your emotional response is completely normal. As Ash explains: "When you lose work or you're seeing a lot of other people lose work and you're feeling guilty that you're still around, that is going to bring up a lot of discomfort, especially when we link our self-worth, our identity very closely to the work that we're doing."

This emotional turmoil isn't a sign of weakness. Ash describes it as "a type of grief, a grief for the people that you've lost or the grief for the role that you've lost. Any type of loss to us as humans hurts, it hurts, it feels really really bad."

The first step in managing your mental health during mass layoffs is to go gently on yourself. Allow yourself to feel the pain without adding layers of guilt or shame on top of an already difficult situation.

Maintaining Your Support Systems

One of the biggest risks during difficult times is the tendency to withdraw from the very things that keep us healthy. Ash warns: "What normally happens is if we're feeling low we can start to almost surrender everything else that was supporting us, so we can start to stop doing the things that keep us healthy."

This includes neglecting physical basics like proper nutrition, exercise and sleep, which are "absolutely critical to mental health." It also means cutting off from other people or isolating yourself, which "causes us to just go deeper and deeper down that hole and that's where we really see mental health conditions start to germinate."

Make a conscious effort to maintain your routines and connections, even when it feels difficult. These support systems become even more important during times of uncertainty.

Separating Yourself from the Situation

Jess offers valuable perspective on the business reality behind layoffs: "It's really important that you connect with other people who are experiencing the same thing that you're experiencing, but also to separate yourself personally from what has happened, from the situation."

She emphasises understanding that layoffs are often "literally a line item in a budget that says the books have to balance like this by the end of this month, which is x number of salaries. It's so far out of your control."

This perspective can help combat the natural tendency to blame yourself or wonder what you could have done differently. As Jess notes: "It's very easy to get caught up in that: what could I have done differently, when did this start, why did I get chosen and not so and so."

Moving Forward with Confidence

While it's important to process the grief and loss, Jess also advises moving through it relatively quickly to protect your confidence for what comes next. The goal is to prevent the experience from affecting "your confidence in terms of what you do next."

Sometimes, as both speakers acknowledge, great things can emerge from these difficult situations. Many people discover in hindsight that the job they lost wasn't right for them, leading to better opportunities and career paths they might never have considered otherwise.

Finding Support Through NNC Circles

If you're struggling with the emotional impact of mass layoffs, consider joining Never Not Creative Circles. These peer support groups connect creatives with others facing similar challenges in safe, non-judgmental spaces. Meeting monthly with 8-10 other creatives, you'll have the opportunity to share experiences, learn coping strategies, and build lasting support networks. The groups are facilitated by trained professionals and focus on practical mental health skills alongside peer connection. Learn more about NNC Circles.

When to Seek Professional Help

While the emotional response to job loss is normal, there are times when professional support becomes necessary. If you find yourself unable to maintain basic self-care, experiencing persistent sleep problems, or feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or depression that interferes with daily life, it may be time to seek help from a mental health professional. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Find resources for getting help.

Support for Workplace Issues

If your experience with mass layoffs involved unfair treatment, discrimination, or other workplace issues, the Never Not Creative Support Line offers free introductory legal advice. This service can help you understand your rights and options if you've been bullied, harassed, or treated unfairly during the layoff process. Access the Support Line.

You're Not Alone in This

Mass layoffs in the creative industry are unfortunately common, and the emotional toll they take is real and valid. Whether you're processing your own job loss or dealing with survivor's guilt, remember that your feelings are normal human responses to difficult circumstances. Focus on maintaining your support systems, be gentle with yourself during the grieving process, and remember that this situation, while painful, is often completely outside your control. With time and the right support, you can move forward with renewed confidence and potentially discover opportunities you never would have found otherwise.