New Bid To Tackle Career and Life Damaging Depression in the Workplace
Release date: October 4th, 2007
depressioNet's Working Well Website Live!
www.workingwell.org.au
Depression in the workplace and its damaging impact on lives and careers has led to depressioNet establishing an online support and communication service, www.workingwell.org.au, funded by the MBF Foundation.
People who have participated over the past seven years in depressioNet's communication forums have told of the anxiety of maintaining job performance while grappling with depression amid the pressure to conceal their condition while in some cases coping with on-the-job harassment.
In responding to this community need, the new Working Well website - www.workingwell.org.au -- will provide a 'safe place' for people to share their experiences and to receive support while allowing depressioNet to evaluate the real impact of depression in the workplace.
MBF Chief Medical Officer and chair of the MBF Foundation Steering Committee, Dr Christine Bennett, said managers also have an important role in assisting employees who may be dealing with workplace issues associated with depression including anxiety, performance, interaction with colleagues and absenteeism.
"It is important that employers monitor staff absenteeism and consider depression as a possible explanation for unusual absenteeism patterns," said Dr Bennett. "The traditional Australian 'sickie' might be something far more serious for which depression could be the explanation.
"It makes sound business sense for companies to respond to depression in the workplace in a positive way because depression can have an impact on productivity, judgement and safety. Some companies have employee support programs, which can be a valuable resource for assisting employees with depression.
"It is vital that people dealing with depression in the workplace should feel confident that they can let their managers know and feel confident they will be treated fairly and that support will be made available."
depressioNet Chief Executive Officer, Terry Houghuet-Pincham, said depression was often managed poorly in workplaces and sometimes even ignored as a bona fide illness. Unfortunate management responses such as suggesting that a depressed employee take a holiday can make matters worse by lowering their self-esteem, taking them away from productive, team-focussed activity and exacerbating their health condition.
"The fear of stigma and shame can mean that many people keep their depression a secret from colleagues," said Mr Houghet-Pincham. "With Working Well employers will be able to better understand workers with depression and deploy the right strategies to secure the best outcome for the individual, their colleagues and the organisation."
One depressioNet member reported being harassed by her team leader because of her health issues and for taking extended time off work. "I'm getting vibes that I may be losing my job with the way I'm going and that scares the hell out of me because then, financially, I really will be in trouble," she wrote in a depressioNet communication forum.
A forum user who said she feared being ridiculed spent seven years struggling with depression and anxiety at work before deciding to 'come out'. Another reported "many of my colleagues were shocked that this could happen to someone who had a lot of professional experience and who they thought was a strong personality."
Melbourne emergency nurse, Kathy McMahon, who has been living with depression for more than 30 years, said being able to go online to talk about her problems and seek help in a completely anonymous setting has been a powerful way to manage her illness.
"DepressioNet is a very positive, nurturing environment where you can talk in real time to people who know what you're going through," Kathy said. "They can suggest practical ways of coping with depression because they have been there themselves. The new Working Well service will give people with depression an outlet at work for times when things are a bit tough and there is no-one around to talk with."
DepressioNet's Working Well website - www.workingwell.org.au - is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week and features a wide range of easily understood work-specific information about depression and techniques to manage it and tools for improving mental wellness in the workplace. Employees of companies subscribing to the service can use peer-based online communication forums, manned continually by highly trained moderators, at any time. Depression does not keep office hours.
About The MBF Foundation
The MBF Foundation is a charitable institution set up by MBF to support and manage important health initiatives for the community using a portion of MBF Group's investment income each year. Projects undertaken encompass three key areas - wellness and obesity, supporting healthy ageing and keeping healthcare affordable.
For more information or to arrange a photo or interview please contact:
Jackie Crossman or Nathan Burman at Crossman Communications, (02) 9361-0519
