900,000 people read Alex Reiff's searingly honest account of how he felt when he lost his job. Much to his amazement the searingly honest LinkedIn post in which he shared his fear and uncertanties quickly went viral.

This Indianapolis sales executive’s experience of loss is being repeated globally. Around 700, 000 Australians, across a multitude of industries, have lost their jobs due to the fallout from the pandemic. 

Now the word “unprecedented” has been bandied around a lot, but this kind of mass layoff hasn’t happened in this country since the “recession we had to have” in the early 90s. For many, losing their job will be not only an economic crisis but a psychological one.

Alex Reiff, full-time dad 

Aliya Rao, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Singapore Management University author of forthcoming book Crunch Time: how married couples confront unemployment.

Janna Koretz , clinical psychologist specialising in mental health challenges associated with high pressure careers, founder of Azimuth Psychological in Boston.

Deirdre Dowling, freelance classical musician, based in Paris, now back in Australia due to the pandemic.

Silvia Regos, business growth advisor and coach who made a major transition in her career two years ago.

Producer: Maria Tickle