David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Return to work can help people with depression
Thu, Jun 5 2008
The modern workplace is often blamed for increased rates of depression and stress. However, new research published in the journal Occupational Medicine, shows that resuming work can actually aid recovery and help depressed employees.
But the British Society of Occupational Medicine warns that employers need to be sensitive and consider a range of interventions including changing an employee's tasks and reducing hours to help people when they return to work. Managers also play a key role as an early return to work is aided by managers keeping in touch at least once every two weeks.
The study followed more than 500 people who were unable to work with depression from a variety of industries over the course of a year. A return to employment significantly promoted recovery. Importantly, it was the approach and flexibility of their employers that proved vital.
The study echoes the findings of Dame Carol Black's review Working for a healthier tomorrow which recognized that for most people work is good both for their long-term health and for their family's well-being. The review found that 40 percent of the national cost of ill health was related to mental health.
"Better access to occupational health services and psychological support are essential if employees with depression and anxiety are to get back to work quickly" said Dr Gordon Parker, President of the Society of Occupational Medicine. "Employers are often frightened of contacting an employee whose sick note says 'depression' for fear of being accused of harassment, but sympathetic contact with the employee and early help through occupational health can identify the most appropriate support. Occupational health services are ideally placed to advise managers and employees on the best return to work plan and should be involved early in the management of the employee's absence."
In any one year about 1 in 4 employees will have a mental health problem, and depression is one of the most common. It is not just distressing for the person involved. It makes them less productive at work and is responsible for high rates of sick-leave, accidents and staff turnover. Work often plays one of the largest roles in shaping people's identity and if employees are absent for some time due to anxiety or depression, this can add to feelings of a lack of self-worth. This study shows that going back to work is often one of the most important factors in speeding up a return to full health. It provides an opportunity to regain a sense of self-esteem and puts routine and stability back into people's lives.
A good occupational health team can help senior management develop programs to educate managers and the workforce about depression so that the problem is recognized, appropriate early intervention given and employees are helped to return to work. Occupational Health staff will know about the particular stresses and strains of the work environment and have experience of sensitive issues such as workplace confidentiality, job security and the timing of the return to part-time or full-time working. They are also well placed to work closely with family doctors or other specialist health services.
British Telco's Positive Mentality program is an example of how a company can be proactive in this area. Their innovative approach supports not only those who have mental health problems but also those staff who are ostensibly well. By encouraging and promoting small changes in lifestyle, significant improvements have been made in how staff cope with stress and the pressures of work and feel about their mental well-being.
Richard Craig, a 54 year old BT employee, suffered from depression which resulted in 6 months off work. On returning to work his hours were reduced for the first two weeks and then increased each week until he was back full time. His manager at the time was in contact with him each week either by phone or one to one. He believes that going back to work and the attitude of his employer was crucial to his recovery.
"Whilst I was ill my manager kept coming to see me and was really supportive. When it was time to go back to work my Occupational Health doctor organized a phased return so that I started back part time." said Mr Craig "Going back to work gave me a structure and took my mind off things."
Source: Brenninkmeijer V, Houtman I, Blonk R. Depressed and absent from work: predicting prolonged depressive symptomatology among employees. Occup Med (Lond) 2008 Jun;58(4):295-301. [Abstract]
Thu, Jun 5 2008
The modern workplace is often blamed for increased rates of depression and stress. However, new research published in the journal Occupational Medicine, shows that resuming work can actually aid recovery and help depressed employees.
But the British Society of Occupational Medicine warns that employers need to be sensitive and consider a range of interventions including changing an employee's tasks and reducing hours to help people when they return to work. Managers also play a key role as an early return to work is aided by managers keeping in touch at least once every two weeks.
The study followed more than 500 people who were unable to work with depression from a variety of industries over the course of a year. A return to employment significantly promoted recovery. Importantly, it was the approach and flexibility of their employers that proved vital.
The study echoes the findings of Dame Carol Black's review Working for a healthier tomorrow which recognized that for most people work is good both for their long-term health and for their family's well-being. The review found that 40 percent of the national cost of ill health was related to mental health.
"Better access to occupational health services and psychological support are essential if employees with depression and anxiety are to get back to work quickly" said Dr Gordon Parker, President of the Society of Occupational Medicine. "Employers are often frightened of contacting an employee whose sick note says 'depression' for fear of being accused of harassment, but sympathetic contact with the employee and early help through occupational health can identify the most appropriate support. Occupational health services are ideally placed to advise managers and employees on the best return to work plan and should be involved early in the management of the employee's absence."
In any one year about 1 in 4 employees will have a mental health problem, and depression is one of the most common. It is not just distressing for the person involved. It makes them less productive at work and is responsible for high rates of sick-leave, accidents and staff turnover. Work often plays one of the largest roles in shaping people's identity and if employees are absent for some time due to anxiety or depression, this can add to feelings of a lack of self-worth. This study shows that going back to work is often one of the most important factors in speeding up a return to full health. It provides an opportunity to regain a sense of self-esteem and puts routine and stability back into people's lives.
A good occupational health team can help senior management develop programs to educate managers and the workforce about depression so that the problem is recognized, appropriate early intervention given and employees are helped to return to work. Occupational Health staff will know about the particular stresses and strains of the work environment and have experience of sensitive issues such as workplace confidentiality, job security and the timing of the return to part-time or full-time working. They are also well placed to work closely with family doctors or other specialist health services.
British Telco's Positive Mentality program is an example of how a company can be proactive in this area. Their innovative approach supports not only those who have mental health problems but also those staff who are ostensibly well. By encouraging and promoting small changes in lifestyle, significant improvements have been made in how staff cope with stress and the pressures of work and feel about their mental well-being.
Richard Craig, a 54 year old BT employee, suffered from depression which resulted in 6 months off work. On returning to work his hours were reduced for the first two weeks and then increased each week until he was back full time. His manager at the time was in contact with him each week either by phone or one to one. He believes that going back to work and the attitude of his employer was crucial to his recovery.
"Whilst I was ill my manager kept coming to see me and was really supportive. When it was time to go back to work my Occupational Health doctor organized a phased return so that I started back part time." said Mr Craig "Going back to work gave me a structure and took my mind off things."
Source: Brenninkmeijer V, Houtman I, Blonk R. Depressed and absent from work: predicting prolonged depressive symptomatology among employees. Occup Med (Lond) 2008 Jun;58(4):295-301. [Abstract]
