The only way to combat long term unemployment is to at least work on some sort of degree. That is at least an excuse to use when asked why you haven’t worked. Of course it will cost money to go to school, but it might be worthwhile in getting a job and you can stop going to school once you are hired.
Taking a part time job or attempting to start your own business would be better, but going back to school would also reflect much better than laying out for sure.