I am a new dad and Covid-19 is stressing me out

Feeling depressed, anxious or overwhelmed? WKND is here to help with a brand-new, interactive column dedicated to mental health

I became a father for the second time recently, but the job front has been keeping me on my toes due to Covid-19. I feel I am torn between my responsibilities as a father and a provider, since I am always thinking about how I will provide for my family if I were to lose my job. How should I balance both? - Name withheld
It must be difficult to have that constant worry about losing your job, while wanting to be there for the new baby and your family. Covid-19 has cast the world into uncertainty, which is causing a lot of stress and worry in people's lives. One thing you can do is reach out to people in your company who can keep you informed about the status of the company and your job. Staying informed will help you manage your work-related anxiety, and give you cues if you need to make alternate plans.
Spend some time brainstorming and thinking about other options if your job is at risk. Remind yourself of your personal resources, which include work experience, education, savings, family support, friends and your professional network. Trust in yourself that you have what it takes to find other work opportunities to provide for your family.
If your job is so specialised that there currently are no opportunities, you can still find a way to ride out this temporary economic downturn.
The reason I used the word 'temporary' is because scientists and doctors around the world are working towards immunisation and effective treatment of Covid-19 and we can expect the economy to recover. Lastly, I would encourage you to set aside your worries about the job during family time to enjoy spending quality time with your baby, child and wife.