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Depression accounts for three to four days off work each month for every sufferer – that’s over six million working days lost each year in Australia.  Untreated depression can result in a significant reduction in work performance with serious implications for work safety.

Around one million Australian adults live with depression in any one year. Striking anyone at any time and for many different reasons, the effects of depression can be far-reaching.

Depression and anxiety can affect a person’s concentration, memory, activity level, appetite, behaviour and feelings.  People who are experiencing these conditions may find it hard to concentrate on tasks, appear easily frustrated, find it hard to accept constructive feedback, may be feeling tired and therefore achieving less. 

While everyone has bad days at work and may experience lowered mood from time to time, if these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, combined with other symptoms that are out of character, it could be depression or anxiety. 

Often people don’t get the help they need because they, or people around them, don’t recognise the signs and symptoms. Sufferers don’t know where to get help or are ashamed and reluctant to disclose how they are feeling, especially in the workplace, since there's a fear that it may impact on their relationships or career.

Our key advice is to stop and think “What would I do if this was a physical illness and a colleague, friend or family member needed help?”  Your reaction to someone with a mental health problem should be exactly the same.

Telling people with depression “to snap out of it” or “pull their socks up” is not helpful. People need to get the appropriate treatment to help them recover.  Similarly sending the person home on stress leave or sick leave doesn’t solve the problem - it's crucial that the condition is recognised and treated.  This can be via the person’s GP or the organisation’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

It is important that organisations raise awareness about these issues and decrease the associated stigma so that people seek help early. By adopting a proactive approach, you can minimise the impact of the illness on the individual, the work team and the organisation.

The beyondblue National Workplace Program helps managers and employees recognise the common signs of depression in the workplace and equips them with the skills to intervene early to encourage a colleague to get help.

An extensive evaluation has shown the program significantly:

• increases knowledge about depression and related disorders
• decreases the associated stigma
• improves attitudes towards a person experiencing depression or a related mental health problem
• increases confidence to assist and appropriately manage a person with depression or a related mental health problem.

For more information about the beyondblue Workplace Program or to access free information about depression and anxiety for your workplace visit www.beyondblue.org.au/workplace or call 03 9810 6100.

Nicole is a Premium member of Business Chicks, request her online business card and connect with her here

Read Nicole's snapshot of mental health and women here

Dr Nicole Highet is the Deputy CEO of beyondblue.  Nicole has a Doctorate in clinical psychology together with expertise in marketing, advertising and research.