Depression – Let’s Talk (Published in The Guardian of 11th April, 2017)

World Health Organization kicked off their year-long “Depression – Let’s Talk” campaign on the World Health Day on April, 7th.   The campaign is a wake up call to de-stigmatize the conversation around mental illness and encourages people suffering from depression to seek help. Many people suffering don’t seek the help they need because they don’t feel comfortable coming forward. As per WHO estimates, 50% of people with depression do not get treatment.

There are strong links between depression and other serious mental and physical health issues, including increased risk for substance abuse, suicide, diabetes and heart disease. From the economic angle, a WHO led study found that failure to address mental health could result in a global economic loss of a trillion US dollars every year. Investment in mental health makes economic sense. Every US$1 invested in treatment for depression and anxiety leads to a return of US$ 4 in better health and ability to work.

One of the first steps is to address issues around prejudice and discrimination. The Mayo Clinic defines depression as a “mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loos of interest”. It affects how people feel, think and behave, and it can lead to emotional and physical problems. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. According to WHO data published in 2014, suicide rate in Tanzania reached 2.02% of total deaths, ranking 10th in the world

Dealing with Workplace Depression

Typical signs of depression at workplaces are decreased productivity, irritability, absenteeism, low energy, withdrawal, anger and anxiety. While a logical interpretation can be that the employee is lazy, bored or unmotivated, they could also indicate something more serious – a depressed employee.

Workplace depression may seem like a topic to be avoided at all costs with the assumption that personal problems don’t belong at work. However, it is definitely worth an employer or manager’s time to help a depressed employee – 80% of people suffering from depression can be helped to recover.

So what exactly is depression? Depression is a person’s reaction to an event or experience that interferes with healthy functioning. It involves body, mind and spirit – feelings, thoughts and behaviors – and may be one time or recurrent or as a manic depression with both high and low swings. Ultimately, depression occurs when a person is experiencing life changes that are difficult to handle or that have no perceived resolution. The following suggestions will help to be proactive to assist your colleagues and employees through a difficult period:

  1. Learn about and educate your staff about depression

Empower your staff so that they understand and can recognize depression. Initial step is to create a simple brochure about workplace depression and avail to staff. To take the message further, bring in a speaker or a consultant to talk about depression and how to deal with it. All employees should be able to recognize the signs so that they bring it to management’s attention.

  1. Set up resources

Resources include annual depression screenings, telephone contacts to support those struggling with depression, referrals to help (EAP, Counseling/psychotherapy, Human Resources), or just being available to those who need to talk. While larger companies might want to invest in written assessments, small companies can be proactive by providing a simple human contact. Small compassionate gesture can go a long way toward helping someone deal with depression.

3. Talk to your staff early, but don’t diagnose

Remember that you are an employer, not a psychologist. Your job is to meet the needs of business by helping your people to become better employees for business. You can be supportive, but you are not trained to diagnose. Develop a relationship with a professional counselor or and organization that can offer the required support.

  1. Be prepared to act quickly if necessary

Be aware that depression, if it has lasted long enough and stems from post trauma, may become life threatening. Therefore, be ready to move immediately; take the person to the hospital, call the employee’s family, doctor, etc. Most depressed people want help, they just don’t know how to ask for it or they are too tired or lethargic and don’t have energy to get help on their own. So your taking the initiative to offer help will usually be readily accepted.

  1. Create a positive work environment

A depressed mood may be triggered by stressful workplace situations, including overwork, unclear job expectations, unpleasant working conditions and a work-life imbalance. As an employer, you may be able to guard against these by creating a work environment that nurtures your employees so that they give you the best they have to offer.

Reply back to bhakti@impactafya.com or call +255 754 694 643 with your feedback. We welcome your suggestions for corporate wellness issues you’d like to see covered in our future columns.

Bhakti Shah, MPH is the Founder and Managing Director of ImpactAfya Ltd, collaborating with Workplace Options and Mayo Clinic, USA to provide Corporate Wellness and EAP Solutions in East Africa. Bhakti is one of the advisors on the Africa Business Portal and Past President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Tanzania and the 2016-2017 Chair for Health Concerns for Rotary District 9211.

 

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