We are all aware that mental health causes disruption in one’s life, but one rarely discusses how it impacts the workplace atmosphere. Recently, employers have been introducing programs to shine a light on workplace mental health. Why? Because they know that it is much more costly to ignore it.
It has been estimated that employers lose more than $44 billion in lost productivity due to depression in the US. However, a substantial factor remains that most of these employees with depression are untreated. People with depression can get better with the appropriate help. However, for that to happen, companies and employers need to be fully invested in the mental health department of their employees. To get more information related to workplace injuries, you can visit www.ksa-atty.com.
So, what is the direct link between depression and workplace accidents?
What Does Depression Contribute to the Workplace?
In the US, nearly 16 million Americans struggle with depression. Although one can encounter depression at any stage of their life, people often start to experience the symptoms during their late teens to mid-20s.
The reality of the situation is depression can strike anyone — even an individual who seems to live in comparatively ideal circumstances. When depression is not treated, it proves to affect a worker’s performance significantly. In addition to this, it contributes to the lack of engagement and absenteeism of employees in the workplace. Furthermore, it may even adversely influence various areas of employee performance, including the center of focus and decision-making, time management, completion of physical tasks, and social communication.
Similarly, such impact can cause accidents and injuries in the workplace due to the lack of attention paid by depressed employees. On the other hand, like every other health condition, early detection and efficient therapy can reduce the level of severity and result of the condition.
Take Initiative
Employers can take steps to provide a safe space for their employees. This, in turn, would encourage employees who are struggling with mental health issues to open up about the challenges they face. Furthermore, the stigma around mental health in the workplace could be battled through this.
An efficient initiative can help employers do the following:
- Spread awareness about depression in the workplace
- Raise awareness of the impact of productivity
- Raise awareness about early identification of symptoms
- Decrease the stigma surrounding mental health issues
- People can share coping methods
- Normalises mental health issues in the workplace
Signs of Depression
- A sudden feeling of sadness
- Lack of interest in work or social activities
- Hard time concentrating
- Forgetfulness and/or trouble memorizing things
- Struggle to make decisions
- Insomnia, or sleeping way too much
- Feelings of uselessness or inappropriate feelings of guilt
- Loss of energy or heightened fatigue
- Impatience, anger, or mood swings
- Eating too much or way too little
How Depression Looks to Co-Workers:
- Removal from teamwork or isolation
- Apathy or indifference
- Procrastinating, frequently missing deadlines
- Frequent accidents
- They look “scattered.”
- Putting things off, lack of firm decisions
- Diminished productivity
- Suddenly being late to work or afternoon fatigue
- Uncertainty in skills
- Lack of confidence
- Inappropriate reactions
- Strained relations with co-workers
- Change in appearance
In addition to these factors, when workers find themselves feeling very depressed, they become less suitable to dedicate themselves to their jobs and duties completely. Furthermore, in certain areas of work – such as construction, it raises safety concerns. More specifically, if an individual has to operate hazardous machinery.