Workplace Mental Health – Why Is It Difficult To Talk About?

We all can find it difficult to talk about workplace mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, both for the individual, the team and the employer.

Yet depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) , more than 300 million people are now living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015. That translates to around 1 in 4 of us experiencing a mental health issue in our life time.

To coincide with World Health Day on 7th April 2017, the theme of which is ‘Depression: let’s talk”, we wish to start the conversation to end the stigma, so as people can feel comfortable talking about mental health issues and engaging with the appropriate support.

It can happen to anyone, at any time.  Some well known personalities, who have struggled with depression, have started to share and open up the conversation including Colin Farrell; Will Young; Justin Bieber; Winona Ryder; Adele; and Catherine Zeta Jones to name just a few.

Picture of Colin Farrell - Workplace Mental Health Picture of Catherine Zeta Jones - Workplace Mental Health Picture of Adele - Workplace Mental Health

“The continuing stigma associated with mental illness was the reason why we decided to name our campaign Depression: let’s talk,” said Dr Shekhar Saxena, at WHO. “For someone living with depression, talking to a person they trust is often the first step towards treatment and recovery.”

Understanding Depression

Depression is “an illness characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks”.  They may experience several of the following symptoms: “a loss of energy; a change in appetite; sleeping more or less; anxiety; reduced concentration; indecisiveness; restlessness; feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness; and thoughts of self-harm or suicide”.

This video (which only lasts 4 minutes) about the ‘black dog‘ can help you to better understand how a colleague or friend might feel, when they are experiencing depression.

According to the CIPD report – Focus on Mental Health in the Workplace, 54% of employees identified the causes of their mental health problems  as a combination of problems at work and their personal life.

It is normal to feel depressed after a significant event in your life – death of a loved one, losing your job, or marital separation.  There are many reasons and often there is more than one.  Sometimes, we can process what has happened.  However, sometimes we can become trapped leading to a depressed mood which then becomes the ‘Black Dog’.

Workplace Mental Health Practical Tips

  1. Create an open culture – Start the conversation in the workplace about the signs and symptoms of depression and other mental health issues and demonstrate your commitment to an inclusive and respectful culture to all with mental ill health.
  2. Know what support is available – Familiarise yourself with what options you have to support workplace wellbeing such as your Employee Assistance Programme (EAP),  health benefits, Occupational Health or other sources of support and resources.
  3. Recognise the signs – Do not worry to much about not knowing what to say. Let the person know you are concerned and try to encourage them to open up. Explain you are there to listen or if they prefer sign post them to other sources of support available as appropriate.
  4. Recommend Professional Help – Encouraging the person to engage with appropriate support is important such as their Doctor, a counsellor or other mental health professionals so as support can be tailored to their needs. When appropriate, enable flexibility in the work pattern to enable attendance at such appointments.
  5. Severe Depression Can Be Life Threatening – Severe depression can sometimes result in suicidal thoughts. If someone says they are feeling that people would be better off without them or stating that they feel suicidal, it is important that you seek appropriate guidance and support from organisations such as Aware, Samaritans, SaneLine, or Young Minds..  It should also be recorded in the accident book and treated like any other health and safety incident.

mind change solutions

At mind change, we offer a range of programmes for organisations to increase wellbeing and psychological flexibility for employees at a personal level as well as implementing strategies on wellbeing in the workplace.  We offer a range of both ‘open’ and ‘in-house’ courses.  Click to view our open courses and programme content.  To request a meeting to discuss your organisation’s requirements simply complete our contact form – click here.