Depression in the workplace

I have included a section about work because I am sure for some people, their work place just does not have the experience or experts on hand to help. Even though they might send you to there so called expert I think it would always be better to see your doctor. Many company's do yearly surveys about their workplace and get bad feedback, they never ever take charge of the situation  and sort things out.You fill out forms each year then get disappointed yet again and again  does anybody care? Sometimes I THINK chickens and animals sometimes get more care and attention than  humans, well at the end of the day they just replace you with a robot or a machine.

Effects of depression on work

Someone suffering from depression can start to behave out of character, both at home and at work. Other workers or employers may notice that someone is:

       

• Making  mistakes more often, Working slowly,
• Unable to concentrate
• Forgetful
• Late for work or meetings
• Not turning up
• Getting into disputes and arguments with colleagues
• Unable to delegate tasks

Going back to work can help people recover from depression, new research has suggested.

Each year, one in four workers will develop some form of mental health problem, and depression is one of the most common types

         

It not only re-establishes a person's self-worth, it gives them a routine and structure around which to lead their lives, according to the Society of Occupational Medicine.

But employers must be sensitive and flexible with their employees - even reducing their hours - to make sure they fully recover.

Mental health problems cost Britain more than £40 billion a year in treatment and lost days at work, while depression and anxiety are the most common reasons for people starting to claim long term sickness benefits.

Depression in the work place
Introduction
Depression is a common illness. At some point in their life, around 1 in every 5 women and 1 in every 10 men will suffer from depression. At any given time, 1 in every 20 adults is experiencing a serious 'major' depression. A similar number will have a less serious depression. Naturally, problems that are common in the general population are common in people at work. In any one year about 3 in every 10 employees will have a mental health problem, and depression is one of the most common. It is not just distressing for the person involved. It makes them less productive at work and is responsible for high rates of sick-leave, accidents and staff turnover.

What is depression?
If you have not suffered from depression yourself, or do not know anyone who has, it can be difficult to appreciate what it is like. We can all feel fed up, miserable or sad after a distressing personal loss. This may be the death of a partner or relative, the break up of a marriage, or the loss of a job. Sadness like this will usually pass with time. Occasionally it will just drag on, or it may get worse and worse. On the other hand, unhappiness just comes 'out of the blue', for no obvious reason. If depression goes on and on, is severe, or dominates every part of someone's daily life, it should be treated as a medical illness.

Certain symptoms can give a clue that someone is suffering from the kind of depression that will need help.

These may include:

    * Sadness which does not change from day to day
    * Crying for no apparent reason
    * Anxiety, worrying, irritability or tension
    * Disturbed sleep
    * Reduced appetite and change in weight
    * Tiredness, lethargy and lack of motivation
    * Loss of interest in normal activities
    * Forgetfulness and poor concentration
    * Thoughts of worthlessness and hopelessness

Effects of depression on work
Someone suffering from depression can start to behave out of character, both at home and at work. Other workers or employers may notice that someone is:

    * Working slowly
    * Making mistakes more often
    * Unable to concentrate
    * Forgetful
    * Late for work or meetings
    * Not turning up
    * Getting into disputes and arguments with colleagues
    * Unable to delegate tasks
    * Working, or trying to work, much too hard

Depression can seriously affect someone's ability to work effectively. It may be so bad that he or she will have to stop work completely for a time. When it is not quite that bad, most people will try to soldier on, painfully aware that they are not doing their job as well as they usually do. If someone's depression can be recognised and helped, they will get back much more quickly to their normal performance at work. Much needless unhappiness and suffering can be avoided.

Recognition
Depression in the work place Colleagues at work are often in a good position to notice that a colleague or workmate is becoming depressed. It can be a difficult thing to talk about, but it can be really helpful for someone who is depressed to hear that people are worried about them. It may help them to think seriously about getting some help. We know that the earlier someone consults their family doctor, the quicker and more effective treatment is likely to be. The manager or employer can also help. If the depression is severe they may need to allow their employee to take some time off work, as well as making allowances when they return to work. It is important to remember that most people are able to return to work within a few weeks. Many employees are afraid of talking about their depression because they fear it might affect their job security . This sensitive issue must be handled sensitively and confidentially by the occupational health adviser and the family doctor.

Treatment
Talking about feelings is often helpful in itself. Many people with mild depression will start to feel better once they have talked over their problems with someone. The majority of people with more severe depression can be helped by a number of treatments which can be provided by doctors or other trained professionals. Which treatment is best depends both on the type of depression and on the particular needs of the person concerned. There are two main types of treatment: talking treatments, such as problem-solving, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or other forms of psychotherapy, and antidepressant tablets. Both of these are given as a course of treatment over a period of months. They can be used on their own or together. Many people worry that antidepressant tables can be addictive, but there is no evidence for this. As with most other common illnesses, most people with depression will recover completely and will be able to start working again as usual.

It is very important for those providing help to all work closely together. This could include the family doctor, a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. The occupational health adviser has a special part to play because he or she will be aware of the demands and conditions of the workplace.

 
Can unsatisfactory work conditions cause depression? For most of us, work provides a shape and meaning to our day and gives us the opportunity to make friendships. It can make us feel better about ourselves and is a reminder that other people value us. For most people a steady and rewarding job can really help to reduce the risk of depression. We know that people who have recently been made redundant, or who have been out of work for many months, are more likely to become depressed than those who are able to carry on working.

Work, therefore, has a largely beneficial impact on mental health, but there are circumstances in which it can be less helpful. Although there is little evidence that poor working conditions can directly cause depressive illness, undue pressure and stress at work can combine with other problems, such as difficulties at home or recent unhappy events, and contribute to the development of depression.

Work is generally good for our mental health. However, there are times when it can be harmful. There is little evidence that poor working conditions can directly cause depressive illness. However, pressure and undue stress at work combined with other problems, such as difficulties at home can make depression more likely to occur.

Many surveys have shown that certain kinds of work are more likely to make people unhappy in their workplace. Jobs in which an employee cannot use his or her skills, or which are repetitive, and are the same every day, seem particularly likely to make people fed up with their work. Uncertainty about how well you are performing, or about future changes in employment, can result in feelings of tension and worry. 'Difficult' bosses who bully and criticise will just make things worse. Poor working conditions, such as cramped offices, noisy factories and hot and stuffy shops may make workers tense and stressed.

Employees will feel frustrated if they have no say in the way their work is organised, or if decisions are imposed from above without any discussion. The introduction of new time-saving computer systems has made offices more efficient. At the same time, this often brings pressing deadlines and demands for quicker decisions, which can actually make the work more stressful. It has also changed the way that businesses are organised, which itself affects the people working within them.

What can be done?
Every company should consider developing a mental health policy. This should aim to provide a workplace which tends to prevent depression and which encourages its prompt and effective treatment. This should also improve the overall performance of the organisation and of individual employees. It should reduce the costs of sickness absence, both from physical illnesses and depression.

There are four main areas to consider:

I. Raising awareness

Everyone in the company can be made aware of the importance of recognising and helping colleagues who may be suffering from depression. This should include every level of the workforce, from the shop floor to senior management. Common ways of doing this include posters, leaflets, or even giving information about depression in appraisal interviews. Everyone needs to understand that positive action can result in great benefits to individuals and the company as a whole.

2. Health education for employees

Employees can benefit from knowing about mental health and learning how to reduce stress. Time management techniques, assertiveness training, and the use of 'team-building' exercises can protect employees from depression and other conditions. The workforce and management should have information about the early recognition of depression, and the circumstances in which people are most likely to become depressed. It is particularly important to emphasise that depression is unlikely to permanently affect a person's ability to work. This area of a mental health policy should also include discussion of pre-retirement planning, preparing people for life after they eventually leave work.

3. The organisation of the business

The way in which a business is organised and operates can have an effect on the mental health of its workforce. Important areas include the physical environment, responsibilities of the job, the level of supervision, and how personnel are selected and trained. Thoughtful adjustments can make employees more satisfied with their jobs and may well improve the performance of the business as a whole.

4. Occupational health services

Occupational Health Services need to be backed by senior management if they are to develop programmes to educate line managers and the workforce about depression. They should also be responsible for recognising and counselling depressed employees, and in helping them to return to work.

Occupational Health staff will have experience of sensitive issues such as workplace confidentiality, job security and the timing of the return to part-time or full-time working. They also know about the particular stresses and strains of the work environment. Occupational Health nurses and doctors are well placed to work closely with family doctors or other specialist employees, whilst being sensitive to the employees' need for confidentiality. Contacts should be established with the local branches of self-help organisations.

The exact form of such a programme depends upon the type of business as well as the size of the organisation. Any company can, however, expect to improve the management of their human resources in this way, often with great benefit to both the company and its employees.

Help and support groups

The Bipolar Organisation
Tel: 08456 340 540
mdf@mdf.org.uk
Provides support, advice and information for people with manic depression, their friends and carers.

Depression Alliance
Tel: 0845 123 23 20
Information, support and understanding for people who suffer with depression and for relatives who want to help. Self help groups, information, and awareness raising for depression.

Depression UK (D-UK)
email: info@depressionuk.org
www.depressionuk.org
National self-help organisation providing mutual support for people who suffer from depression.

Aware
Tel: 00 353 890 303 302
Assists and supports those suffering from depression and their families in Ireland. A helpline is available as well as support groups, lectures, and current research on depression.

Seasonal Affective Disorders Association
Aims to inform and educate people about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Offers advice and support to members.

MIND
Tel: 0845 766 0163
contact@mind.org.uk
Provides information and advocacy services for people with mental health problems. Frequently asked questions on both mental health and legal matters are available. Also information on the MIND CHI project to evaluate mental health care in the NHS.

Health and Safety Executive
HSE Information telephone line: 0845 345 0055.

Publications

Promoting mental health, ending discrimination at work produced by SHIFT - a five year initiative (2004-2009) in England to tackle stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health issues.
www.shift.org.uk/employment.html

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/mentalhealthproblems/depression/depressionintheworkplace.aspx

http://snipurl.com/2xuuw