The first thing on your mind if you are made redundant is likely to be your financial situation and how quickly you might find work. However, many people become depressed and anxious as well.

Early in March, health secretary Alan Johnson and work and pensions secretary James Purnell, announced a new government initiative, refering people faced with redundancy to therapists using an advice network in Jobcentres, doctors' surgeries and NHS Direct.

Key points to remember when faced with redundancy

• Don't take it personally - redundancy is rarely a reflection of your abilities. The current recession is forcing thousands of companies to reduce staff levels in order to stay afloat.
• Start job-hunting immediately. Update your CV, register on job websites and with recruitment agencies as well as speaking to contacts about potential opportunities. Brush up your interview skills.
• Keep busy; as well as applying for jobs, make time for getting out of the house. You may be watching what you spend, but there are plenty of things you can do for free ??“ it's important to stay in touch with your friends and the world in general. Isolation is not healthy.
• Look ahead to the future, rather than dwelling on the past. Think about what you want to do next Look at the bigger picture -- it may be a good time to launch that business idea you have been thinking about for years. Or maybe it is a good time for you to retrain for an entirely new career.
• If your redundancy pay-off is big enough, think about taking some time away to do your thinking. Lots of people are taking adult gap year breaks to rethink their next moves. the recession can also mean that some travel destinations are offering great deals as tourist number have dwindled.
• Having said that, don??™t use redundancy as a reason to run away from your life ??“ taking time out to travel is most suitable if you donot yet have family or significant financial commitments. Use your time wisely to think about your next move as a return to some sort of work is inevitable..
• Talk things through with others. There??™s much less stigma to redundancy than there used to be and you??™ll find your friends and family to be a great source of support.

Here are some other folks you can talk to

The Samaritans (08457 909090) provide confidential emotional support, 24/7.

The National Debtline (0800 808400) provides free confidential and independent advice to people with debt problems. While not focusing on emotional issues, many emotional issues revolve around finances so focusing on those issues can help alleviate the emotional ones.

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