Why Depression?

Many individuals have asked us why would we focus on the issue of depression in the workplace. The easy answer is there is no easy answer. Depression is a complex medical condition that impacts multiple aspects of a person's life and one area in particular it negatively impacts is the person's professional life.

Current estimates suggest upwards of 21 million Americans suffer from depression in any given year and over 70% of those suffering are working. Doctors and lawyers frequently jockey back and forth for the lead position of highest rates of depression and suicide. Other professions such as Sales, Marketing, Accounting, IT professionals, Retail, and Healthcare Providers experience high rates of depression.

In addition to the high prevalence rates of depression, ignoring depression in the workplace is costly. Estimates place lost productivity due to depression accounts for upwards of 50 billion dollars annually. There are other significant healthcare costs associated with depression because untreated depressed persons use twice as many healthcare dollars than their non-depressed colleagues. In addition to these cost, those with depression can be negative, pesimisstic, and difficult to work with and get along with. These characteristics impact relationships in the office with colleagues and certainly outside the office with clients.

The redeeming news is that nearly 80% of those suffering from depression report an improvement in their symptoms and quality of life when they receive proper care. The sobering reality is that most individuals with depression either refuse to seek care or are receiving inadequate care.

The workplace offers an opportunity to identify and address this prevalent, costly, and devastating issue and that is why Karen and I are focusing our efforts on addressing depression in the workplace.

In good health!
Mark