Unemployment is often discussed as an economic condition versus a mental health one, though researchers have been tracking its connection for decades.

A recent study pulled together 38 different pieces of research tracking people over time, and the pattern was clear. People who are unemployed experienced noticeably more depression, anxiety, and general distress than people with steady employment. When people eventually gained re-employment, those numbers were noticeably improved, especially when the job was stable.

Worth noting is the research does not prove which way the arrow points. Does unemployment wear people down, or are people who are struggling more likely to be out of work in the first place? The real answer has yet to be seen. But a recent APA survey added more color to the conversation, stating that more than half of employed workers say that job insecurity is adding considerable stress.

So how do you tell a hard week from something more?

Do feelings change when you’re not grinding through applications? Are you still eating or sleeping close to normal? Do small things, like a day off from resume rewrites or job boards, help even a little? This gut check is a great place to start.

If the answer is no or if you’re experiencing changes like low mood, disrupted sleep, appetite changes, or a heavy sense of hopelessness that last for days, weeks, or even months, it may be worth consulting a doctor or a therapist.

You don’t have to wait for these feelings to surface to do a therapist check-in. You owe your mind the break it craves so you can ace your next interview. Getting support isn’t a detour from the job hunt. It can be one of the best lateral moves you can make.