By Rachana Pradhan

April 4, 2025

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<br /> <span class="byline">Rachana Pradhan</span></p> <p>LISTEN: KFF Health News correspondent Rachana Pradhan spoke with federal employees who say mass government layoffs are affecting their mental health. She appeared on WAMU’s “Health Hub” segment on April 2.</p> <p>Federal workers are feeling demoralized and anxious as the Department of Government Efficiency slashes <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/03/27/hhs-cuts-layoffs-rfk-cdc-fda/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tens</a> of <a href="https://cdn.roxhillmedia.com/production/email/attachment/1700001_1710000/468b348e705c763cd150c2fcb894ab2b6f5ae65a.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">thousands</a> of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jobs</a>. Federal employment used to carry the promise of job security and an opportunity to serve the nation. But in recent weeks, uncertainty may be the most defining characteristic of being a federal worker. The stress is felt especially in Washington, D.C., where <a href="https://www.epi.org/press/new-epi-resource-calculates-how-many-federal-workers-live-in-every-state-county-and-congressional-district/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nearly 50,000 people</a> work for the federal government.</p> <p>Losing a job <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9754011/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can be devastating</a>. Being fired can cause anxiety, depression, digestive issues, and heart disease. For some, it could increase the risk of suicide. Many workers who lost their job with the federal government face these pressures without their health insurance to seek counseling and other treatment.</p> <p>KFF Health News correspondent Rachana Pradhan and senior correspondent Aneri Pattani <a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/federal-workforce-trump-purge-fired-workers-mental-health-anxiety-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported on the impact</a> these firings have had on mental health.</p> <p>Pradhan appeared on WAMU’s “Health Hub” on April 2.</p> <p>
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