Understanding Work-Induced Depression ??

In recent times, the issue of work-induced depression has become alarmingly prevalent.

A 2020 study revealed a startling trend: “The number of U.S. employees experiencing work depression quadrupled during the pandemic's early days.”

Now more than ever, as employees struggle with unprecedented levels of burnout, anxiety, and despair, organizational leadership and culture need to prioritize psychological well-being through compassionate policies and support systems.

Work and its impact on mental health

The complex relationship between one's job and mental health cannot be overlooked.

Although depression rarely has a single cause, the work environment plays a significant role in either exacerbating or alleviating mental health issues.

...your job can have a significant effect on your mental health, positive or negative. Toxic personalities, job insecurity, unclear or unreasonable expectations, and lack of work-life balance are just a few of the factors that can cause workplace depression. – Lindsay Renner Schwartz, LICSW

Identifying the symptoms

Understanding the signs of workplace depression is crucial for early intervention.

Workplace depression can manifest in various forms and impact emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical health.

Some key symptoms include:

• Emotional – anxiety, apathy, boredom, irritability, and feelings of hopelessness.
• Cognitive – difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and indecisiveness.
• Behavioral – increased frequency of mistakes, diminished self-care, absenteeism, and withdrawal from colleagues.
• Physical – fatigue, headaches, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite.

How to cope with work depression

Combating workplace depression requires a multifaceted approach – from small lifestyle changes to systemic ones:

1. Take regular breaks – short breaks throughout the workday can significantly enhance productivity and mental well-being.
2. Engage in physical activity – regular exercise, even in small amounts, can uplift mood and improve overall health.
3. Start with one area of focus – for example, staying hydrated throughout the day – and gradually integrate other forms of self-care.
4. Utilize PTO (paid time off) – mental health days are crucial for disengaging from work stress and focusing on self-care.
5. Set boundaries – establishing clear work-life boundaries helps reduce stress and prevent burnout.
6. Practice mindfulness – mindfulness techniques can aid in reducing stress and improving focus and well-being.
7. Take time to reflect on your personal values – what matters to you deeply? What gets you out of bed every day? Does your day-to-day work let you live your values? Note the gaps and gain clarity here first.
8. Evaluate workplace policies and culture to identify and mitigate factors contributing to stress or burnout – for example, review workload distribution, remote work options, etc.
9. Request adjustments at work – speak to HR about potential workplace adjustments: flexible hours, WFH options, or changes in responsibilities.
10. Lead by example – managers and founders should model healthy behaviors like taking time off and setting boundaries.
11. Challenge negative thought patterns. Shift from disempowering thoughts to realistic positive self-talk through CBT techniques. Reframe setbacks.
12. Seek professional help. Make an appointment with a mental health specialist to get to the root causes and develop healthy coping strategies.

If your workplace depression persists despite the coping strategies and accommodations outlined above, it may be time to seek additional help.?– Lindsay Renner Schwartz, LICSW

Leadership's role in supporting mental health

As leaders, you have an ethical obligation to prioritize employee mental health and foster an emotionally supportive work culture.

Rather than issue directives, we need to open compassionate dialogues to understand how employees are coping and provide resources to support their well-being needs.

Through collaboration, leaders can identify achievable workplace adjustments to alleviate sources of stress.

Examples include:

• Flexible schedules
• Remote work options
• More manageable and reasonable workloads
• Encouraging open discussions about mental health
• EAPs and partnerships with mental health companies
• Providing resources and training for depression awareness
• Normalization of mental health days and time off for healing
• Caring for a healthy work-life balance in the company culture.

Leadership's role in creating a safe and healthy environment is crucial. It's a topic that warrants a separate, dedicated dive-in...speaking of which, here it is ??

Let's take care of your team's mental health

At Calmerry, we recognize the importance of individual and organizational roles in addressing workplace depression.

If you're looking for mental health services to support wellness in the workplace, check out how you can easily start with us.

We can connect you and/or your team to a network of experienced mental health professionals – for individual sessions or comprehensive B2B solutions for personalized therapy, counseling, or coaching.

Are you ready to take your workspace to a whole new level? Then, let’s talk! ??