Depression & Mood Disorders | Depression Insights
Depression & Mood Disorders
Depression In the Workplace
Work-related stress such as work-life interface, job strain, discrimination, harassment or employment insecurity can contribute to, exacerbate or prolong a depressive episode.
Rates of depression can vary by occupation and industry type. Among full-time workers, the highest rates of workers experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year were found in the public and private transit (16.2%). Occupations with the lowest rates of depression were amusement and recreation services (6.9%). (Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology)
Employers can help reduce the effect of work-related stress as well as depression-related lost productivity and disability by adapting proactive workplace mental health policies. These can include access to mental health through an employee assistance program, support of employees upon return to work with flexible re-entry policies, campaigns to increase depression
How Depression Looks to Co-Workers
- Withdrawal from team, isolates oneself
- Indifference
- Putting things off, missed deadlines
- Accidents
- Seems “scattered” or absentminded
- Procrastination, indecisiveness, slowed productivity
- Late to work, afternoon fatigue
- Unsure of abilities, lack of confidence
- Low motivation, detached
- Inappropriate reactions, strained relationships
- Change in appearance
Source: Center for Workplace Mental Health
