Helping Employees Cope Depression At Work: Workplace Wellness

Everyone goes through a bad day at work where they feel lonely, sad, or depressed. However, at times when one of your most dependable employees begins to miss deadlines, a project manager strives to make simple decisions, or a friendly outgoing worker stops socializing and becomes withdrawn, it may be an indication that they are coping with more than simply a bad day. There are chances that they might be struggling with clinical depression, a condition that influences a person’s feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. Luckily, depression is one of the most treatable mental health complications. Approximately 80% of people who take treatment show improvement within three to six weeks. This is why it’s significant for business leaders to pay consideration to the mental well-being of their workforce. Executives must know the warning signs of depression at work as well as what measures to take to ensure that their employees get the mental health care they require so they can return to being happy, productive, and victorious members of the team.

With reference to WHO’s latest estimates, between the years 2005 - 2015, there has been a steady increase of 18% in people dealing with depression, that is nearly 300 million people.

Several people around us, who seemingly come across as withdrawn, anti-social, or aloof, might not be awkward socially, unlike what we think. Possibilities are they might be battling with issues that they cannot share because of the lack of support, taboo,  as well as stigma linked with depression.

Possibilities are someone at your workplace might be suffering from depression. It could be a co-worker, or it could be even you. We aren’t just talking about the case of blues or deadline burnout, but clinical chronic depression that necessitates ongoing treatment.

There are various symptoms of depression, some of which are listed below.

Symptoms Of Depression At Work

• Decrease in interest
• Slow actions and movement
• Missed deadlines and procrastination
• Emotional or overly sensitive reactions
• Diminished work quality and increased errors
• Tardiness, absenteeism, or frequent absence from the desk
• Difficulty in concentration, memorizing, or making decisions
• A shift in performance and on-the-job behaviors, like inconsistent or decreased productivity

Tips To Deal With Depression At Work

Nowadays, workplace depression is becoming common and gradually becoming an area of increasing concern, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Whenever an employee is depressed, it not only affects that employee’s happiness and productivity but also the mood of the coworkers as well as their productivity. Fortunately, depression in the workplace is not hopeless or inevitable.

1. Foster Atmosphere of Open Communication

When you talk to an employee regarding their mental health, it’s essential to build an atmosphere where they feel comfortable speaking with you. You must begin the conversation by showing your concern about their well-being rather than concentrating on the errors they have made during the job. Concentrate on the individual instead of the problems. Try asking open questions that help them to express and join the conversation.

During the conversation, it’s important that the employee seems positive and supportive. Simply because an individual has a mental health illness or is going through depression at work does not imply that they are incapable of executing their job. Try to be supportive and set fair performance expectations that require a meeting for the organization.

2. Ask for Help

If you’ve realized that you’re feeling depressed, then positively, you’ve already started the treatment for fighting depression—working with a support group or a therapist is one of the best ways to help you deal with all the symptoms that you’re facing, which in turn will encourage you to better handle your professional life.

If not, keep in mind that most organizations offer some or the other type of coverage for mental health. Many companies also offer additional services for mental well-being through employee assistance programs.

It’s essential to find a trusted friend, ideally a co-worker, who can assist you through this stressful time. There will be unfortunate days—some of them might seem nearly impossible—on your way to recovery, and you must realize how important it is to possess someone to lean on and talk to. Group therapy is yet another excellent way to deal with depression at work, as you see that you’re not the only one struggling. Participate in anxiety and depression therapy groups, where you can learn several coping strategies for fighting stress at work from other participants.

3. Setting Clear Goals

One of the most difficult things concerning depression is that it nearly makes it impossible for an individual to keep and maintain the focus on work. Hence, it is important that you make clear and realistic goals about what you need to accomplish and keep a check on it.

Create a list for the entire day and highlight your top priorities, which would ensure that you are meeting the expectations of your most important audience—your boss. Double-check any important memos, take extra time to prepare assignments, and let a colleague give a second look at your work if it was a rough week.

4. Talk It Out

You can help your employees fight depression by asking them to talk about their concerns openly with any college, friend, or family member. It has been observed that If you’re mentally ready and comfortable to open up with your colleagues regarding depression, it’s better to begin with people you share a comfortable relationship. When they understand what you’re going through, they can support you and have your back at times of stressful periods and projects. Family and friends outside the office can also help you cope with depression, all you need to do is take some time and talk it out.

5. Be Easy On Yourself

You can ask your employees severely affected by depression to take a short-term break if you think you’re suffering from depression and you fear that talking about it might adversely affect your job, you need to take a break and realize that you’re not alone. Once you take the courage to open up and talk about this condition, you’ll notice that there are more people who understand your situation and are sympathetic to you as compared to those who are critical. During your treatment, it is important to be proactive, take it one day at a time, and be gentle with yourself.

Conclusion

Workplace depression is a growing concern, but with the right support, it can be managed effectively. Creating a mentally healthy work environment benefits both employees and organizations, leading to improved morale, productivity, and overall well-being. By fostering open communication, encouraging professional help, and promoting a culture of empathy, businesses can make a meaningful impact on mental health. Remember, recovery is a journey—take it one step at a time and don’t hesitate to seek the support you deserve.