Having employees living with depression is common.
Some of the signs and symptoms you may notice are: having trouble concentrating, memory loss, loss of ability to make decisions and low motivation.
Depression is a real illness and employees with depression need the same support that you would give any employee having a health issue. Many people living with depression are high functioning and will be able to continue work at the required level and others will need support.
In investigating depression in the workplace, it has been found that employees who receive support with mental health issues usually recover and respond with higher productivity.
So how can you help?
Mental Health First Aiders on staff will be able to respond and support the worker. MHFA is the help offered to a person developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or having a mental health crisis.
Support is given until appropriate professional help is received or until the crisis resolves.
Mental Health First Aid Australia has guidelines on 'Providing Mental Health First Aid to a co-worker'. The guidelines can be found on the Mental Health First Aid Website
Remember Mental Health is everybody's business.
