Petryk's Picks - Depression

There is a very common workplace illness that has been ignored for far too long. It has many names but the most common is depression and clinically it is often referred to as major depressive disorder or MDD. Because it is a mental illness, its very existence and effects on the workplace have not been fully acknowledged. Regrettably, people with these disorders are still stigmatized and this makes curing them all the more difficult.

As life's pressures increase so do the cases of clinical depression. In business there is a real cost in the form of absenteeism, job performance, irritability, or just presenteeism (whereby one shows up for work but contributes very little). People who are clinically depressed are more likely to commit suicide and have real physical ailments. Those who do not confront this problem can cope through alcohol or drug abuse which often exacerbates the situation. It makes diagnosis and treatment all that more difficult. It is a treatable disease. 80% of people with MDD can be successfully treated.

Companies with active wellness programs are now beginning to expand into the area of mental fitness. This makes sense in terms of increased productivity and staff retention. As well, these companies are often the source of stress that promotes anxiety and depression in the first place. As such, much of the current focus has been on managers. These are the people in whom corporations have a heavy investment and are most likely to work under stress. Catching these problems early can prevent them from escalating. A British firm that undertook such a program reported a 30% reduction in sickness absence due to mental health problems.

Now that we are aware of the problem and the trend, how do we proceed?

A good website to visit is www.cmha.ca. This is a link to the Canadian Mental Health Association which has good information and a list of local offices to which one can refer.

Another is www.thementalfitnesscenter.com which is American based and not as useful should a local contact be desired.

Learn to recognize the symptoms which can include a decrease in productivity, an inability to concentrate, and a decline in dependability. Frequent tardiness, increased sick days, and lack of enthusiasm for work are others.

Finally, treat these people with respect and use the trust thus attained to encourage them to seek help, such as a health professional.

Remember that four out of five people with MDD can be treated successfully.

with your colleagues or Groups.

Submitted by William Petryk, CMA