depression at work
SAMHSA (substance abuse and mental health services administration) helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
“””warning: this episode talks about depression, and mentions thoughts of death or suicide. if you have these thoughts, please reach out to a FREE crisis text line at 741-741 or call the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988. both are available 24/7.
Depression ranks among the top three workplace problems for employee assistance professionals, following only family crisis and stress (2)
The annual economic cost of depression in 1995 was $600 per depressed worker. Nearly one-third of these costs are for treatment and 72% are costs related to absenteeism and lost productivity at work (2)
stigma of mental health treatment can cause employees to not seek out help or use resources at work…many employees are unaware they have depression or fear their insurance will not cover costs.
[there is a difference between depression and sadness/being in a depressed mood. sometimes, it can be hard to tell the difference, but for the most part, depression is more persistent and can be accompanied by persistent physical symptoms…including but not limited to - lack of interest in activities once enjoyed, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, fatigue, irritability, thoughts of death or suicide, or feeling guilty hopeless or worthless.]
if you feel you might be struggling with a mental health condition, take a screening, and reach out to support lines.
some support lines can include friends and family, but I suggest therapy as one of the best support lines available. they will be able to give you tools to cope. for less severe depression or for times when we just might not feel like ourselves, focus on self care first. physical activity, taking care of your hygiene, drinking water and staying hydrated, and getting outside are all simple, FREE things we can do to support ourselves.
normalize discussing mental health, even in the workplace. some workplaces are more supportive than others, but nothing is going to change if we never talk about what we’re struggling with, or ask for help when we need it.
some signs of depression at work could be: (1)
missing work
trouble concentrating
missing deadlines and goals
fatigue or lack of energy
procrastination
lack of motivation
poor communication
dealing with depression in the workplace…
acknowledge the depression - first, acknowledge how youre feeling. what might be driving or triggering this feeling? if you think it may be a major depressive disorder, or even if you’re not sure, reach out to a therapist or other reliable source for diagnosis. online therapy is an option for those of us who can’t afford in person rates, but you can also check if a local office has a program specifically for lower income people. in austin, there are several offices that work with you on price, and i would imagine most cities have these options available. your mental health is worth the investment.
check with your employer to see what services they offer. many places offer an EAP or employee assistance program that can at least help get you started.
sometimes, our work places can cause a good chunk of our mental health issues. if you’re in a toxic workplace, consider if this may be a major cause, or if there’s anything you can do to change your situation at work. ****if not, is there another job or place you’d like to work?
schedule breaks in your work day
DO NOT SKIP LUNCH
plan your time off…try to spread out your time away, and don’t be afraid to use your time off!!
practice self care whether you’re at work or not…you can focus on your breath anywhere…and you can eat lunch outside if it’s nice out or talk with a coworker you like!
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