When one partner becomes unemployed, it puts stress on everyone in the household. The employed partner must assume financial responsibility for everything, which can lead to personal stress and harm to the marital relationship. If your spouse is not working, you need to find ways to cope so that you are able to get through it successfully.
One thing that makes a dramatic difference is whether or not your partner has chosen to be unemployed. If the person you are not married to has no interest in working and believes that everything is up to you, then you may want to seek marital counseling. However, in some cases, the unemployed partner may decide to take care of the home and this can work well if there is enough cash coming into the home and both partners agree on it.
However, if your spouse wants to find a job you need to be supportive of them while still taking care of yourself. Being thrust into the unexpected role of sole provider can be quite stressful. Find some time for yourself several times each week so that you can unwind. You may want to go for a walk in the park, have coffee with a friend or otherwise get away.
Do not belittle your spouse or otherwise put them down for not working. Many men who have lost their employment suffer from guilt and already feel less manly because their wife is bringing home the figurative bacon. If you say negative things to him about being less than a man, you can exacerbate his mental difficulties, which could spiral into a deep depression or send him out of the door from the continual shame.
In addition to not shaming your spouse face-to-face, you should not put him or her down to others. Often, men and women do this in little ways without even realizing it. The comments may be meant as a joke, but can cut the other party deeply. This is especially true when talking to children, who need to know that both parents support each other. The burdens of adult life should not fall upon them to figure out.
The tide will turn if your spouse stays diligent in the job search. Continue to be supportive and take care of your own mental and emotional health along the way. Consider counseling if you still need help.