From time to time, all of us will have our bad days. When we don’t quite feel ourselves: a bit down in the dumps or just a little uneasy. And, when caught in the lingering cold of a wet August, the winter blues can exacerbate these feelings.
Having these ‘ups and downs’ is normal. Usually, these passing feelings will evaporate when we bump into a few friends, or we go for a run or find some other exercise, or simply get a good night’s sleep.
We should not confuse these passing feelings with something more serious like depression or an anxiety disorder.
Depression, as opposed to those up-and-down mood swings, affects around one-in-eleven Australians each year.
Depression changes the way you think and the way you feel. It can change the way you respond to things that are part of everyday life. It interferes with nearly everything – your work, relationships, sleeping, eating, and your ability to enjoy life.
People suffering depression can become withdrawn, non-communicative, disinterested, persistently gloomy, often-times tearful and often seem weighed down by a blanket of sadness.
No-one wants to feel this way. So, what might we do – as a close friend, a workmate, or family member – to help someone we notice is having a bit of a struggle?
Well, it starts with conversation. Just talking, breaking the ice, friend to friend. Sure, it can take a bit of bravery asking about deeply personal feelings, but you can do it. Start by saying something like: “Hey, I notice you don’t seem to be yourself, what’s cooking, do you want to talk about it?”
And, know this, the earlier a person who is suffering depression (or anxiety) is aware that the negative feelings they are carrying are symptoms of an illness, and the earlier they get treatment, the sooner they will find a path to good health.
We can help them get on this path early if we are alert to the signs and can encourage them to seek help. And, if your concern is real, don’t be too easily deterred if the first response is to pull the shutters down. Find the right moment, and raise it again – a simple, friendly: “Are you ok?” can break the ice. (See ADA’s The Little Blue Book of MENTAL HEALTH pp. 72)
An ADA Australia Workplace Mental Health training program can be the first step to raising awareness around mental health. It can also help your team develop an organisation-wide commitment to minimising psychological risk at work and being alert to workplace triggers to depression and anxiety.
It may interest you to know that 17% of depression in women, and 13% of depression in men is attributed to ‘job strain’, to poor workplace practices and failings in organisational culture.
Now that’s something to think about.
If you’d like to learn more about this program, or any of the other training programs we offer, please call ADA Australia on 1300 378 429 or email: enquiry@adaaus.com.au
Additionally, if this information raised any concerns for you, please do speak to your GP, they can help you back to good health, or call a helpline: LIFELINE 13 11 14 or BeyondBlue 1300 22 4636.