Working with Depression

                         Illustration: Venla Valve

Nelson Moura,

Correspondent (Our World)

 

When celebrity comedian Stephen Fry publicly revealed a suicide attempt in 2012, he was supported by a vast wave of sympathy over social media and from other public figures. Fry, a known spokesperson for mental illness, has spoken in great length about his dwellings with Manic-Depression and about ending cultural stigma for mental health issues, speaking for charities such as Mind and producing a documentary, The Secret Life of the Manic-Depressive, based on his experiences and of other people with Bipolar disease.

Some people have pointed out how different the reaction to a such a revelation would be if instead of a known celebrity, the person revealing his condition was a co-worker, an employee, a classmate or even a close friend.

According to the World Global Organisation, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide with almost 350 million people of all ages suffering from depression globally. Although there are effective treatments and medication for depression, social stigma still does not enable many people to discuss their mental health situation in their work place and with social relations.

People suffering from mental illness are afraid they will be defined by their condition or mistrusted, although they have the capacity to perform professionally as good as any other employee.

In one case revealed to me, a fully qualified British nurse was forced to stop her work after senior officers reported her as unfit for providing medical care due to her anxiety issues. Her anxiety issues were created by lack of emotional support after a stillbirth miscarriage and although a committee declared that she was perfectly fit for nursing, she was forced to do a menial secretary job. She informed authorities that bullying from other colleagues was frequent and other people were warned if she revealed supposed signs of mental illness such as faulty make-up or hairstyle. When she could not stand the pressure any more, she had to quit and is now living in a homeless shelter for people with disabilities.

Cases like this one show how work environments can be daunting for people who suffer due to general public ignorance about depression and anxiety. People suffering with unipolar and bipolar depression have intense bouts of anxiety, negative thoughts, social anxiety and memory problems. In order to cope with these issues, it is normal to develop alcohol and drug (such as cannabis) addiction, as many people with anxiety issues see it as the only way to relax in social meetings.

However, charities for mental illness awareness such as Mind have created guidelines to advise employees about positive coping mechanisms.

 

Strategies such as:

-Developing good relationships with colleagues,

-Accepting that it’s unrealistic to be perfect all the time,

- Talking to someone you trust, at work or outside, about what upsets or distresses you.

Other recommended treatment options by the World Health Organisation include basic psychosocial support combined with antidepressant medication or psychotherapy, although medication is not recommended as the immediate solution for mild depression.

As someone who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I understand how people may feel pressured to avoid referring to their mental health issues in job applications or to work colleagues, especially when studies revealed that employers are more willing to hire people without mental health issues.

Nevertheless finding someone trustworthy to share such problems is a very important step to avoid wearing a mask of fake happiness in front of others and start being comfortable enough to reveal a true face without fear of judgement.