Depression is a common mental health problem which is significantly different from mere unhappiness or sadness. It is a long lasting, often recurring illness.
The symptoms and severity of feelings of depression may be different for each person and may include;
- eating or sleeping too much or too little, including frequent waking during the night
- difficulty getting to sleep or being unable to wake in the morning
- loss of interest in daily activities, a lack of energy and/or loss of sex drive
- excessive crying and being easily upset
- thoughts of suicide or feelings of wanting to escape from the way one is feeling
- restlessness, agitation and irritability
- headaches, digestive disorders or nausea
- persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, isolation, helplessness and hopelessness
- difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
- feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
(Mental Health Association NSW Inc. 2007)
Workplace solutions and adjustments
There are some successful resources and strategies available for people with depression. These include:
Mental health first aid training is available to help employers and co-workers recognise and support people with depression (please see related links on this page).
Depression can be episodic in nature, so discussing flexible work options with an employee might be a good option, for example, changing shifts to daylight hours where possible.
On the job strategies
Additional to the solutions identified above, people with depression may also need to incorporate on the job strategies to assist them to complete tasks.
Depression can affect an employee's productivity, judgment, ability to work with others, and overall job performance. The inability to concentrate fully or make decisions may lead to costly mistakes or accidents. Some suggestions for management include:
References
Mental Health Association NSW Inc. 2007, Anxiety – what is it?, Mental Health Association NSW, Sydney, viewed 3 November 2007, http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/resources/factsheets/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20depression.pdf