STEP 5

INTERVIEW SESSION

The interview session was conducted by three of our group members. During the interview session, we discusses about our CID title which is the worries among those who lose their job during covid-19 and how do they overcome with that. There are 3 participant whose involved and participate on our Current Issue Discovery (CID).

PARTICIPANT 1

Date of Interview : 2 June 2022, Thursday at 9.30 pm

Participant : Kabinesh A/L Muniandy

Interview Panel : Thivvinesh A/L Raja

Link Blog : https://youtu.be/xX5itkcVRDM

PARTICIPANT 2

Date of Interview : 8 June 2022, Wednesday at 9.30 pm

Participant : Ain Zulaikha

Interview Panel : Nurhana Syaqirah Binti Mazlin

Link Blog : https://youtu.be/uIFiD0BkJZM

PARTICIPANT 3

Date of Interview : 9 June 2022, Thursday at 2.30 pm

Participant : Khaliq Bin Muhammad Salif

Interview Panel : Siti Nurhazwani Binti Hamdan

Link Blog : https://youtu.be/UCU2_uuQ-8U

INTERVIEW FINDINGS

    Overall, we knew from the interview session that they had too faced so many difficulties in order to keep surviving in the Covid-19 pandemic era. We can conclude that all participants experienced anxiety during their unemployment. They get lost in their thoughts because there are so many things that simulate anxiety in them. All participants have to think about how they would pay all the bills such as house rent, utility bills and debts, as well as necessities things like households, medical care and food supplies. These are essential things that simulate their anxiety because they have to think not only about themselves but also their family too. Moreover, they have to support their families in all matters.  

    According to the findings in the interview session, Participant 1 and Participant 2 rate their anxiety level as 8 out of 10, while Participant 3 rates it as 7 out of 10. This level shows that their anxiety is at a high level, where 5 and above is. Participant 1 describes a level of anxiety where he had to force himself to take medication for get a proper sleep. Since he lost the only stream of income at the moment, it is hard for him to sleep well because the only things that crossed on his mind is thinking of getting a new job. As for Participant 2, at that time she said her mind felt confused as were dismissed during Covid-19 pandemic. She could not think properly and felt down because it is not happened on herself but also her family. She could not use by not having money as her family too being laid off. The last participant, Participant 3 felt scared when he lost his job because it was then during the lockdown period. He did not expect that he would get early notice letter from the company for the termination of the contract even though it would end at the end of the month in 2022. He had been working with the company for 5 years so he did not expect such a thing will happen on himself. 

    As unemployed, they worry about all aspects of their lives especially in financial issues. They have a family to support and also have lots of important things to pay. Thus, in that case a lot of money has to be spend to pay all the bills, rents and so on. Besides, their savings are already dwindling as a lot has already been spent throughout Movement Control Order (MCO). Due to their extreme concern, the level of anxiety is higher, especially when they know they have been fired, their emotions are also disturbed. Every day have to think about finding a new job, but with the Covid-19 situation at that time it was a bit stressful for them. Although all participants have no any significant physical symptoms, they are severely affected by their anxiety. All the difficulties develop daily in their mind. Deep in thought, they had to be strong to support the families. They need to find a new opportunity to solve the problem. As the participants said, they are trying to find jobs on many platforms like Facebook, Job Street and others. As a result, unemployment has a huge impact on them. They are always worried about everything because their care and future depend on themselves. 

    In addition, life before and during covid-19 completely changes their whole lifestyles and so on. All of them need to overcoming with their current lifestyles so that can have a better control over the financial situation which wasteful expenses can be avoided. All participants must cope the anxiety by try to have a better thinking. They can talk to family or people for when in need to get a support and guide. In conclusion, this interview outcome in which be able to give awareness and draw attention of public to the anxiety that could immediately affect people life. Based on our group discussion, government role is a very important to ease the burden of people. Government should provide financial incentives or introduced subsidies to people which can be used to offset the indirect living costs. Moreover, from this help it can slowly reduce the anxiety on those people. 

CONCLUSION

    The Covid19 virus was widespread in China in 2019. This virus was affected the world. The first cases in Malaysia were in January 2020. Because of this virus, government do a Movement Control Order (MCO) to avoid the virus been spread. This action makes rate of unemployment increase, especially among young generation. Since this, mental health and social illness become a serious issue in Malaysia. All the community need to educate themselves about the mental health issues and try to understand the problem. People with mental health problems can lead a better life with a positive atmosphere around them. This situation causes individual to become worried, anxiety and psychiatric illness. The impact of this crisis on the population mental health is uncertain. It also increases the number of deaths from the stress and unstable emotion. During the previous recession, the high unemployment rate was also associated with an increase in suicide. Both in the short and long term, mental health diseases are major public health concern all over the world.

 

    Mental health problems occur in people who are unemployed and have financial problems. This is because they cannot afford to pay bill like renting house, get a food supply, and pay utilities. Adults in household with children been more affected that adults in households without children. Other than that, some people struggling to pay their rent. This problem taken time from government to provide emergency relief to person who involve in this problem. Covid-19 causing some people in this country to lose their job especially in tourism sector. This sector shut down because of the MCO plan by government. Moreover, being unemployment causes stress and anxiety to people. In the long-term physiological health effects and can have negative consequences for mental health such as depression and anxiety. The pandemic situation gives a huge impact on millions of people around the world. This pandemic has created a new economic crisis, especially for small businesses and the tourism sector. The mental health during unemployment makes a group of people likely to do research how to overcome this problem. 

    There are several solutions that had been research to resolve this issue. Even though it is a challenging effort to solve these issues. Among there, eliminating the unhealthy coping skills, get treatment, compensation from the company and overcoming with the current lifestyle. The best solution had been selected from our group mate is to overcoming with the current lifestyle. For us, it is the wise solution because people should change their lavish lifestyle and understand their current situations in order to reduce the anxiety in themselves. Spent a lot of money on unnecessary thing during the difficulties might harm and give more burden toward their self. Furthermore, they can learn to manage the financial wisely so that does not trigger anxiety at a high-risk level. Due to some circumstance, can help gain a better sense of control over the financial issue. The wasteful expenses also could be avoided. With that, any unstable emotions like anxiety can be avoided. In summary, every community have their own role to play in preventing this problem. We must be vigilant to the people around surrounding us. Then try to support them, either in financial or positive vibes. Furthermore, government should take an action by financial help or give a free treatment to people who have mental health problem.