How do I handle a long gap on my résumé? - any advice?

I have been out of work for 7 months and worry about the gap. I worked as a welding apprentice before this. I am not sure how much to explain. How did you handle it on your résumé?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.