Dealing with depression in the workplace

Depression is costing American businesses billions of dollars in lost production costs each year. Over 200 million work days are lost due to depression, which estimates to be about $43.7 billion. If employees do not get treatment for their depression, it could turn into a lifetime problem and employers could be on the verge of firing some employees that have the potential to turn into successful managers.

Employees with Depression
The best way for depression to be treated is if the employee recognizes it on their own. They should come to work looking forward to participating in their activities. If they can find a way to have structure in their job and have a sense of accomplishment, their overall personality will be happier. Work not only provides people with a source of income and a feeling of accomplishment, but it is a social opportunity as well.

Here are some easy things you can do to avoid depression in the workplace:

• Apply for jobs that interest you. Don't get stuck in a dead-end job because you need the money.
• Ask the manager for goals and additional information on projects you don't understand.
• Stay on top of your work, don't become overwhelmed in it. If you start getting overloaded, ask your manager for help.
• Stay up-to-date with technology and other products that can assist you with your job. Consider taking additional courses to keep your skills in tune.
• Speak to a counselor when you need help sorting through difficult problems. If you are struggling with personal problems, a counselor may be the only person that can help you through this difficult time.

Employers Helping with Depression
People don't like to admit when they have problems and several people see depression as a weakness. Some employees refuse to believe they can even have depression, especially if they have not previously experienced it. Depression can come on quickly for some people. It can be caused by the time of year (seasonal depression), sudden life changes (death or divorce), and even stress. If an employee has been diagnosed with depression, they may have a hard time telling their employer because they fear it will affect their job or because they think others will talk about them. Employers need to have strict confidentiality rules to prevent such situations from happening. Here are some things you can do to help your employees that may have depression:

• Always refer the employee to seek medical attention. Most insurance plans will cover depression medication for a minimal cost.
• Bring plenty of light into the office. Several people get depression because their bodies are lacking Vitamin D. Open up the windows and let the sunlight in. You can even purchase lamps that emit blue light to help people with season depression. These lights are called SAD lights and can be purchased as a light box, desk lamp, box light, and even as a visor. The lights really do help people that have seasonal depression.
• Give your employees time to relax. All work and no play won't do anyone any good. Always schedule in some time to have breaks where your employees can relax and get their minds off work for a few minutes.

Depression Warning Signs
Depression is different for everyone. The symptoms will vary with each person, but most people experience one or two of the following symptoms:

• Sad or anxious mood
• Lethargic during the work hours
• Loss of interest in work and activities they enjoy doing
• Fatigue
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Headaches, chronic aches and pains
• Irritability
• Difficulty making decisions, concentrating, and remembering
• Thoughts of suicide