Emotion: anxiety
Problem: job crisis
Situation: I've been so blessed to have such a great job but thanks to Corona, my works has come to a screeching halt.  I'm so anxious because I don't know when my next check will be or for how much.  The pressure and stress is almost too much.

assistant: Hello there! how are you doing?

user: I'm doing OK. Just stressed about work.

assistant: What's been going on lately? Is something in particular there stressing you out?

user: Ever since Corona hit, my work has come to a complete stop. I'm just so worried about where my next paycheck will come from.

assistant: Oh wow, that wounds really rough. So you haven't been able to work in the same way since Corona? Do you have any ideas of things you could do to make ends meet?

user: No, my work was through a hospital and they stopped my contract. I've been looking but not many places are hiring.

assistant: Oh, I see. That does sound really rough. I would be feeling the exact same way you are in that situation and I'm sorry you're going through that. I know this sounds cliche, but I do believe that things will work out. I once heard, "It'll always work out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end."

user: Thank you. I appreciate your support and words. That's very true. Things haven't worked out yet so I just need to hang on.

assistant: I know there were some grants and loans and things specifically set aside for small businesses for the pandemic. You might want to look into local resources and see if some are available to help you just to make ends meet for the time being?

user: Oh really?! I didn't know that. I'll have check that out. It's so hard to know where to turn to or where to find that kind of information. Is there a website or something? Just knowing there might be something out there to help gives me so much hope.

assistant: There's so much information and disinformation out there, it can be really hard to discern help. There's one website: sba.gov that has several different options for pandemic relief for small businesses. I don't know what are you're in but there are some local resources available from my local government websites too, you might want to check that out too!

user: That is wonderful! Thank you so much for passing along that information. I've written the website down and I'll do some searching tonight! Just talking to you has brought my anxiety level down so much!

assistant: Excellent, I hope you're able to find some relief through this difficult time! I have a friend who looked into it and was able to find a small grant to help him out!

user: That's hopeful to hear! Thank you! Do you know if there's another stimulus check coming? Those have helped me so much. It's also amazing what a kind person, who really listens and wants to help, can do for your well being as well!

assistant: I have heard that another one is coming, and this one should be better than the last one. It's all dependent on income, so anyone that makes less than 80k a year should be getting the full amount according to what I've heard. I agree, they did help! Would that ease your burden a little bit if the next one comes soon?

user: Great! I will definitely qualify if that's the case. I would be able to pay rent if we get this check soon. It's been so hard making ends meet. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed I feel like I can't breathe. Any tips for that?

assistant: Hang in there, I'm sure help is on the way and your positive attitude will help carry you until then, you seem like a really strong person. For me, I try taking really deep breaths and even meditating if it gets really bad. Have you ever tried anything like that?

user: That's so kind of you to say. I try to stay positive and be strong but I often feel like I'm failing. It helps to hear words of support that I'm going to make it through this tough time. I've never meditate before. Do you listen to music or just silence. I would love to give that a shot. I try to take deep breaths. Oftentimes it helps but only for a moment. Maybe mediation could help me overall for longer periods of time.

assistant: You're not failing as long as you're still trying and not giving up. All we can do sometimes is pick ourselves back up and keep plugging along. There are a few apps available that have calming music, stories to listen to, or even breath exercises to try. They are all over the app stores. It definitely helps me! Meditation has been proven to help a lot of people in stressful situations.

user: That's so true! I'm going to write that down and post it on my fridge! Those are the words I'm going to live by for the next while. I'll look up some apps! Thank you for being such a great listener and supporter. I feel so much lighter and hopeful. I can't believe how much this has helped me. I look forward to chatting again soon. Thank you so much! You have no idea how grateful I am to you right now. I won't give up!

assistant: Of course, so happy to be of help! Hopefully we can talk again soon and catch up on how you've been doing. It helps me a lot to know I'm helping others too, any kind of service always feels nice.

user: Thanks again! Have a great night!