The Mental Health Crisis Facing Laid-Off Federal Workers

The mass layoffs of federal workers that began in February have had a profound impact on mental health. Many federal workers have sought or considered psychiatric care and medication, and financial stress is mounting as they worry about paying bills and affording their children’s education.

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) employee, who specialized in Alzheimer’s and dementia research, expressed her deep distress over losing her job. Terminated abruptly through a generic notice alleging poor performance—which she insists is false—she now struggles with anxiety and depression. She describes her mental state as “going through hell,” unable to focus or even engage in activities she once enjoyed, like meditation or exercise.

Rising Anxiety Among Federal Workers

President Donald Trump and his allies have increasingly criticized federal workers, branding them as “dishonest” and “lazy.” These statements, combined with the sweeping job cuts, have left many federal workers feeling devalued and uncertain about their futures.

Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency created by Trump’s executive order, has claimed without evidence that there are “dead people on the government payroll” and has called for widespread cuts to reduce bureaucracy. In February, Musk declared that “waste is everywhere” and vowed to use “the chain saw for bureaucracy.”

The uncertainty continues as agencies prepare for more layoffs following a March 20 memo granting the Office of Personnel Management expanded authority to fire federal workers across federal agencies. Legal challenges have temporarily reinstated some federal workers, placing them on paid administrative leave, but the long-term outlook remains grim.

The Psychological and Social Fallout

Experts warn that mass layoffs have severe and lasting effects on mental health. Studies show that unemployed federal workers experience increased anxiety, depression, and suicide risk. Long-term unemployment exacerbates these effects.

According to UCLA professor Jennie Brand, “Job loss has intergenerational consequences. Children of unemployed federal workers are more likely to struggle in school, repeat grades, or drop out. The impact ripples through families and communities.”

Chronic stress among remaining federal workers is another concern. One Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services employee said the administration’s approach appears designed to induce enough emotional distress that workers resign voluntarily.

“I feel like the ax is always over my head,” the employee stated. “Every day, I wonder if I’ll be next.”

Slashing Long-Standing Job Security

Traditionally, federal workers have had job stability and benefits in exchange for lower pay compared to the private sector. That expectation is now being upended, creating uncertainty for many federal workers who turned down more lucrative private-sector jobs to serve the public.

Blake Allan, a University of Houston psychology professor, explains, “Work is a fundamental part of our identity. Losing a job suddenly, especially amid public criticism, can be devastating to one’s sense of purpose.”

One fired scientist, Andrew Hazelton, was working on improving hurricane forecasts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) when he lost his job in February. He described the layoffs as “inhumane” and emphasized that scientists simply want to serve the public, regardless of politics.

Although Hazelton was later reinstated following a court order, he remains in limbo on paid administrative leave. “The instability is exhausting,” he said.

Health Coverage and Access to Care

The layoffs not only cost federal workers their jobs but also their health insurance, making it difficult to access much-needed mental health care. Even for those still insured, the mental health system is overburdened, leading to long wait times for psychiatric services.

One NIH worker considered starting antidepressants to manage anxiety but decided against it after realizing their insurance would soon expire. “I didn’t want to start medication only to stop immediately when I lose coverage,” the worker said.

For many, the uncertainty extends beyond their personal futures to the future of their research. The Trump administration has already begun canceling hundreds of NIH research grants on politically sensitive topics, such as vaccine hesitancy and LGBTQ+ health.

“Decades of research are at risk of being erased,” said another NIH employee. “I go from anxiety to deep sadness thinking about my family and the patients who will suffer.”

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