Frank

Look out for people like me
May 12, 2008

You know, if anyone should be depressed, it’s me. You seen the kinda trouble I get into. Heck, you maybe even get a few laughs at my expense. Go ahead, laugh. I know what you’re thinkin’—“Better you than me,” right? A buddy of mine says comedy is based on some other clown’s tragedy.

That’s okay. I don’t mind bein’ the guy whose foot always finds a banana peel. Thing is, you probably have people like me in your warehouse, DC or plant—people that life ain’t been good to and are feelin’ depressed. You better pay attention to ‘em ‘cause where there’s depression there’s cost in your future.

Somethin’ called The Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine had an article that said depression could be costin’ employers up to four times more than they realize in lost productivity. Here’s what else they found:

• More than six percent of employees have symptoms that match a major depressive disorder. Throw in people who are bipolar or have other forms of depression and the rate’s probably a lot higher.

• Only about half of depressed workers get treatment, and less than half of these get the right treatment.

• Because so few workers get treated for depression, workplace productivity goes straight to you know where. There’s more absenteeism and unemployment, and that impacts the whole organization, considering the higher health and disability costs.

• Depression strikes workers earlier than other things like heart problems and blood pressure, so the impact on the job could last a lot longer.

Look at the bright side. These research eggheads say depression is more treatable in the workplace and employers can help by offering early treatment. They can set up programs to screen people for these issues and help them improve “coping skills.”

Jeez, coping skills. I don’t have a lot of them. I’m gonna have to take a look at what those wise guys are doin'. Let’s see, what do they call themselves? The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. I may get some help after all. Then you can go find some other bum to write funny gags about.

Posted by Frank on May 12, 2008 | Comments (0)