Interview with Margaret Davis

Margaret, your latest how to article is about dealing with depression at work. How common is workplace depression? Well, it's more common than you might think, because people are afraid to talk about it. There's a lot of pressure on people to perform and get good results, and appearing weak can damage your career. So people are very cautious about revealing anything about their mental health. Also, many people make a point of keeping their personal life and their work life separate, and there certainly arguments in favor of that. But if you don't let your colleagues or managers know anything about what's happening in your private life, they're less likely to be sympathetic. If you do have a crisis, what are some of the signs that a colleague or employee is depressed? First of all, it's important to realize that as a colleague or a boss, you can't make a diagnosis of depression. Unless, of course, you actually are a doctor. So just because a colleague seems listless or a bit sad, you shouldn't jump to conclusions. Perhaps he's just tired or he's worried about something at home. But if his behavior changes radically, there could be cause for concern. Possible signs of depression include lack of motivation, frequently showing up late for work, having trouble concentrating or having difficulty dealing with coworkers or customers. But as you can see, any of these could just be temporary and not related to depression. That's why getting professional advice is important and when should you seek professional help? Sooner rather than later. It's better to consult a therapist or psychiatrist if you're in doubt about your own or someone else's mental health than to wait for the situation to become critical. If you're an employee, ask your company. H R Department. What's available. Your works council will also have useful information. And if you're a manager, try to get training so that you are at least aware of the signs. That could mean an employee is suffering from depression. Very good advice, as always, Margaret, on this very important and sensitive topic, many thanks for coming in again to talk to us. You're welcome. Thank you