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Career Chat // Managing depression in the workplace // Friday 26 Aug, 10am AEST

NikNikSenior Contributor24 Aug 2016, 7:27 pm AEST

Career Chat // Managing depression in the workplace // Friday 26 Aug, 10am AEST

Managing depression in the workplace

In previous Career Chat sessions we have a few discussed anxiety and how to manage anxiety in the workplace, we've come up with a toolkit and suggested ways in which anxiety can be so well-managed that it does not have to constantly make a negative impact in your workplace.

But depression is another matter.

Depression is one of the most difficult clinical mental health issues that you can experience.

It is debilitating and misunderstood, it is stigmatised and often a person with depression needs a lot more downtime leading to extended time off, guilt and insecure job prospects.

In this week's Career Chat we are going to be discussing depression and trying to find tried and tested strategies for dealing with depression at work. We are also going to discuss how to develop your career in spite of depression.

Please join us this Friday when we will debunk some myths and turn up some good strategies for those experiencing depression in the workplace and for those having depression who want to continue to develop their careers.

Join us from 10am AEST

Can't make the session? Leave your question below.

24 replies

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In response to: Career Chat // Managing depression in the workplace // Friday 26 Aug, 10am AEST

RenstarSenior Contributor26 Aug 2016, 2:39 pm AEST

Re: Career Chat // Managing depression in the workplace // Friday 26 Aug, 10am AEST

Hi @Former-Member thanks for joining us I'm sorry to hear you've been unwell

Part of the reason why we have this forum is for everyone to be able to simply share ... And sharing helps

so at the moment you're going through a tough time ... And the best you can do is go gently and lean on people you trust and hopefully a trusted therapist for this part of the journey.

Because all mental health issues are a journey.

Have you ever considered creating a mental health awareness plan for your workplace ?

In response to: Re: Career Chat // Managing depression in the workplace // Friday 26 Aug, 10am AEST

RenstarSenior Contributor26 Aug 2016, 2:57 pm AEST

Re: Career Chat // Managing depression in the workplace // Friday 26 Aug, 10am AEST

Thank you to everyone who participated today @Kurra @StillSearching @Former-Member @DIZ710 @NikNik

What we discovered today was that people with ongoing or episodic depression who managed to find themselves in a work situation may feel relief through work ... but it can also be a challenge.

Some of the ways in which we can approach this challenge is to ensure we maintain physical activity during the day, at work and in our own time because even though the myth that depression is all in your head or merely a chemical imbalance persists, what we now know is that it's actually a mind-body illness that should be approached holistically.

Other things to do for yourself at work include having a mental / inclusiveness health plan, in this way disclosure is organised, systematised and controlled by YOU.

The result hopefully, will be a more educated workplace in which you can just be yourself without fear of stigma and guilt associated with the symptoms of depression.

Finally I hope to have either convinced you or further supported your decision to have both psychological and pharmacological treatment ... If you feel you're having a depression episode. It's a journey not to be done alone.

All the research clearly shows that a combination of both leads not only to feeling better but hopefully to remission.

So the myth that depression can only be treated through medication has been debunked!

Additionally we discovered that it's important for your GP to be aware of how are your depression may affect you in your workplace so that effective measures can be put into place.

Not that there will necessarily be anything different to offer ... but it's a focus that should be drawn. The results in one study showed that GPs who knew about their patient's depression were able to create better results.

The obvious one would seem to be that organisations should put measures into place ... With the proviso that they also have a clear understanding of how episodic depression can be. But again if we create a plan then this proviso would be included ...
So organisation help is one thing but as individuals we need to continue to stamp feet and demand to be heard - I know I'm not giving up!!

Finally that is why we have this forum to share our experiences and also our journey. I hope today has helped.

Hope to chat to you again soon ... Wishing you a relaxing weekend and as I said please continue posting the forum is open until 4

In response to: Career Chat // Managing depression in the workplace // Friday 26 Aug, 10am AEST

DIZ710Senior Contributor26 Aug 2016, 4:06 pm AEST

Re: Career Chat // Managing depression in the workplace // Friday 26 Aug, 10am AEST

Doing FIFO work can be difficult with bipolar but if you really want it bad enough you find ways to make it work.

For me when I am feeling depressed I call home as much as I need to. This works for me because my husband understands my bipolar and knows what to say to help me.

When I am feeling manic I try to limit my interactions with people until I have settled down to a more manageable level. Thankfully whilst I am medicated these episodes are short lived and I do not lose insight

Also I do not hide the fact that I have Bipolar not even from my boss. This has worked out well for me because my fellow workers all understand that some days you are just going to get a different Dizzy (thankfully this happens a lot less now that I am on the right combination of meds for me).

In response to: Career Chat // Managing depression in the workplace // Friday 26 Aug, 10am AEST

MaryannaNew Contributor26 Aug 2016, 4:09 pm AEST

Re: Career Chat // Managing depression in the workplace // Friday 26 Aug, 10am AEST

Today was a great topic

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