May 02 2009
The winners of “Tackling Mood Disorders in the Workplace” writing competition
I was recently asked to be one of the judges for the Black Dog Institutes writing competetion entitled “Tackling Mood Disorders in the Workplace”. The winners were announced yesterday by the Minister for Mental Health The Hon Barbara Perry.
PRIZES
- Maree Matic - Sydney
- Daniel Taylor - Adelaide
- Rowena Harris - Tasmania
In addition to these 3 there were 10 “Highly Commended”
JUDGES SUMMARY
The judges were very impressed with the standard of the 200+ submissions to this years contest. Entries came from those living with mood disorders, their work colleagues, and managers. When assessing each contribution we decided to place equal weight on relevant ideas raised, writing style, and practical suggestions to improve the current situation.
The vast majority of entrants still feel very reluctant to disclose their illness for fear that it will have an adverse effect on their career prospects. It seems that a “work mask” is still very much the norm. Comments such as “the act is taking its toll” and “hiding in the toilet is not a long term solution” reflected the quiet despair.
The occupations most frequently represented in the submissions were teachers, lawyers, and recruitment consultants.
It was very difficult to narrow the final field down to the 3 winners and 10 “Highly Commended”, but they provided some clear messages.
Organisations need to be much more proactive in educating employees and managers, in how to recognise and support those with a mood disorder. Whilst the importance of appropriate policies was highlighted, contributors stressed that the most crucial element was a compassionate manager who reached out to address the issue quickly. Many lamented that “values on the wall were not lived on the floor”.
Whilst diversity in gender, ethnicity, and physical disability, is actively encouraged in many organisations, it is sadly lacking for those with mood disorders. In addition to supportive work colleagues, the other critical organisational requirement is flexible hours to allow for doctors/therapist visits, and low mood in the morning, when required.
Those working with mood disorders stressed that they also have an obligation to balance their lifestyle and manage their mental health – “Ironically it was only when I started working on my wellness that my work performance improved.” Many also explained that their mental health was made worse by pursuing the wrong career. Despite the challenges of work, the vast majority stressed how important it was to their self esteem.
It was extremely difficult to pick a final winner, but we felt that the contribution chosen, could well act as a summary for all 200+ entries.
Graeme Cowan, Judges Chairperson May 28, 2009
I couldn’t help but think that this competition was so important as it raised so many ideas regarding how things could be improved in the this area of where we all spend so much time, yet as I have highlighted previously, only 9% of those with depression feel comfortable discussing their condition with work colleagues - how absurd is that.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING
If a genie suddenly granted you one wish about how you would change the workplace to be a better place for those who live with depression and anxiety, what would it be. I would love you to respond to reply to this blog with your thoughts.
Kind Regards
Graeme
I would have that genie grant the wish of ‘acceptance’ by work colleagues. Depression would be seen & accepted as any physical illness is, and there would be no more need for sufferers to hide behind their masks of self-protection.
Once we have acceptance, I believe that everything else will fall into place ~ care & support for example. In fact, if depression were accepted along the same lines as diabetes / asthma for example, sufferers would not feel the need to hide and may feel more able to face work on difficult days in the knowledge that there will be support there ~ this could subsequently even lead to less time off due to depression and anxiety which ultimately leads to less strain on company finances in trying to cover sick leave etc.,
Acceptance would empower sufferers in many ways but particularly by increasing our sense of self-esteem.
Genie, my wish is that depression was spoken of openly and that those with it truly felt the world understood. I wish each of us would realise that, like cancer, depression is an illness to be managed, not a life sentence. I want every son, every daughter, parent, sister and brother to know they will find others with compassion, Help us find practical ways to help those who find it so hard to accept help. Above all, Genie, I ask you to remind those on the brink to believe that there’s enough time to wait until tomorrow for solutions and empathy rather than act on how they feel at this moment.
GRAEME wher can we read the reports of the 3 winners?
I would love to read about what each of them said
thx so much
Sean
Great comments everyone.
Sean - the essays are copyright with the Black Dog Institute so unfortunately you’ll have to wait for the book.
I will say that one of the things they stressed was that people need to trained about how to prevent and manage mood disorders. They also highlighted the importance of compassion in helping someone to recover (exactly as a cancer patient would be treated - as you say Kay).
They also emphasized the importance of managers being trained on how to support the person back to health as soon as possible. They suggested having team agreeements in place to look out for each other and support those struggling to cope. Finally they stressed the need for managers to be better listeners and facilitators rather than authoritarian. Solutions come when we ask “what’s in it for us” rather than “what’s in it for me”.
And Dina, there must be more assertive work to eliminate discrimination in employment selection and management decisions. I watched the movie MILK a couple of days ago and could help thinking that we have to take some lessons from the gay movement and start coming out of the closet and asserting our rights. For too long we have cowered in fear, but those of us who are strong again need to advocate more on behalf of every one who struggles with anxiety and depression.
Graeme
Hello Graeme - thanks for your emails. I work in a Disability Employment Agency specialising in Mental health. All of our staff (14) are trained in a minimum of Basic Week and six months of practicum in William Glasser’s Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and Lead Management - most have continued on through the Advanced week and practicum, and four of us have reached Accreditation which entitles us to take people through the Basic Level. With this training we have learnt about the importance of relationships and the influence of what Glasser calls the universal psychology that destroys relationships because it destroys personal freedom -External Control psychology. Choice Theory is an Internal Control psychology. Reality therapy has practical, common sense empowering strategies and counselling techniques. Lead Management (as opposed to Boss Management) encompases Choice Theory and Reality Therapy and has proven very successful with our staff (three of whom were our clients) and our Job Seekers/working clients. Our clients have been diagnosed with the full range of mental health issues with varying degrees of severity. We have many employers who are supportive and encouraging of their employees and others who are willing to learn from us as we support our clients in the workplace.
Is it possible to read the essays? I think it would be very helpful for our staff.
Thanks very much once again. Wishing you all the best. Marney
Hi Marney,
That sound very interesting. Can you send a link which explains Glassers work in more detail.
One of the encourging things that came out the essays, were examples of where people with mood disorders were treated compassionately and with repect in the workplace which should give us all lots of hope. I really believe that it mostly through ignorance that managers don’t handle the support well, which only highlights the importance of education.
There are compelling cases for implementing such programs.
Kind Regards
Graeme
Hello,
If that Genie was around and gave me that wish I would ask him to stop time and everything around me so I can slow my thinking and focus on what I have read and learnt about getting over depression. There are some pieces from books that I have read that I go over and over in my mind when upset or distressed to lower my anxiety. And it usually works.
Of course that is fantasy land, but wouldn’t it be great if you can ask your boss for some time out (and promise to be back) so you can walk outside and calm yourself and gain some clarity. I think generally most employers would accept this as a reasonable request. For anyone reading this, I never thought I would be able to get to the point and learn how to calm my anxiety either. But eventually you can and some days become clear and not muddled. And it feels good.
Thank you
Leisa
I think the flexibility of time worked is so important Leisa. Taking time out to clear the head is very valuable when you are struggling. Many people have mentioned to me that good bosses understand when it is necessary to be flexible, knowing that if someone is treated well they will never abuse that trust.
Graeme
I first joined this website as a “supporter” for depression (for my father) and i must say now i am now a candidate. I agree totally with Leisa, Kathy, Dina and Kayes statements, i feel like this currently. I have always suffered anxiety NEVER depression until now. I have been so low these past two weeks and am finally seeing my GP on Monday. I cannot go to work next week and i hope i can get a certificate for this (i have hardly functioned at all these past two weeks, i am barely existing, i feel like my mind has been out of my body totally, its a feeling i can’t explain, i just can’t think, concentrate, haven’t sleep for a week etc). I realise now i really need help and can hopefully get help sooner rather than later. I have had a lot of changes lately in my life and can’t seem to cope with anything at the moment (work, personal life, and had an operation recently). The sad thing is people cannot relate to depression until it actually happens to them personally. I use to think this for years re: Dad and only recently i truly understand. Thanks for your comments, i’m glad there are other people out there who can relate to this.
Hi Louise,
It is so hard to understand how disabling depression is until you experience it yourself.
That is why it is so beneficial to interact with others that are/or have been through the same thing. I cannot stress how important it is to get professional help and I’m so glad to hear you are going to see a GP soon.
Hang in there.
Kind Regards
Graeme
Question from Graeme: ‘If a genie could grant you one wish, what would you like to see your leadership team DOING differently to significantly improve how depression and anxiety are managed in the workplace.’
I would ask that the Genie ensure that the ‘Leadership Team’ were not the CAUSE of it in the first place. Workplace bullying - ( does the term ‘horizontal violence’ still have currency?) - I would like to see professional attitudes RULE! - period.
I am a (nearly) 52 year old ’student’ of nursing - I recently asked about a result of an exam that we’d sat and was spoken to as if I were a recalcitrant child (by the female coordinator - around mid 30’s) ” You were told, were you not, that the results would be available 2 weeks from the time you sat the exam!” she scathingly replied to my enquiry.
(In fact, we’d been told by the class teacher, that they’d be available at the end of the day, prior to my enqiry)
The point is, that I am not attending a rehab for juvenile deliquents, I am in an ‘adult learning centre’ and have applied myself to all tasks set, with a lot of care and effort.
I was crushed and humiliated by her response: attacking someone else’s dignity to ‘put them in their place’ is unwarranted and unacceptable.
I have just sat my last written exam and have a ‘prac’ exam next Thursday, I am constantly anxious and today, quite depressed.
The ‘delivery method’ of this course has left me feeling undermined, and uncertain of my own abilities to deliver what is required, inspite of achieving moderately good results in the last two exams.
I entered the course feeling a confident and reasonably worthy person; I now feel uncertain and not at all sure I want to continue in the profession.
Nursing IS renowned for its hierarchical structure, however it appears that there is a distinct correlation between the intimidation experienced by some staff - and the attrition rate in employees ( who choose to go ‘nurse bank’ or agency - to keep out of the ‘fray of politics’ and other unpleasantness in nursing.
I have remained in nursing (unsurprisingly, as ‘nurse-bank’ - agency - predomininantly in psychiatry .. lol!) for this reason, myself; and I’m currently in the process of updating/upgrading my qualifications, to enable me to continue to have a range of work experience and to ‘remain flexible’. Read: not get involved.
I believed myself out of target range - since I’m now older and was reasonably certain of achieving pass marks.
… but I am still finding myself to be ‘targeted’ by hostility which depresses me, and has the effect of undermining my potential to achieve to the best of my ability.
I consider this a serious problem, and I have reason to believe that others have been affected, not just in this course, but in the workplace.
Effective strategies for dealing with the problem would be helpful.
Hi Graeme,
I just learned of your website yesterday, through a friend. I feel great compassion reading of your personal journey, and the experiences of others. Thanks for offering a forum for sharing feelings and ideas. I live in the U.S., where attitudes about depression and mental illness are still quite taboo in the workplace and elsewhere. I am currently unable to work, and struggle to even do volunteer work. I’m a Physician Assistant, and functioned at a very high level for many years, but have been suffering from disabling depression for over a year now. I feel like I’ve lost my personality, and my sense of self. If you can relate to this, I’d love to hear from you. If not, I’ll keep trying to find another way back to ME. Thanks.
Karen
Hi Karen,
Yes I can certainly relate to how disabling it is when in the full throes of depression. The worst thing is that it is very difficult to remember being well. Despite how you feel you’ve lost yourself, know that it isn’t permanent.
Hopefully you are working with competent mental health professionals - if not this should be a priority. With regards to self help - I cannot stress how important it is to exercise regularly - I know you probably don’t feel like it but I know it is possible even if you start with very modest goals. You should aim to build it up to 30-40 minutes walk 6 days a week. You may even consider enrolling in my next free webinar - you can do that on the homepage of my site.
Hang in there and may the best in life and love and happiness be ahead of you.
Kind Regards
Graeme
Hi Amanda,
Treating someone without respect should never be tolerated. I don’t know why people get off on this. With regard to coping strategies it is important to detach ourselves from this type of interaction. Anyone who lashes out like that is obviously not very happy themselves. Try being sorry for her and really grateful that you are not like that yourself.
Having said that, it is important that people like this know that their behaviour is not acceptable. You may consider writing her a note and explaining the impact her behaviour had on your self esteem and how counter productive it is to personal development (the business she is supposed to be in).
If you want to read a great book about how the learning environment should be see “The One Minute Teacher” by Spencer Johnson - very short but impactful book about creating the right learning environment. Sounds like everyone in the faculty should read it.
Hang in there and don’t take it personally (hard I know)
Kind Regards
Graeme
Thanks Graeme, and “The One Minute Teacher” by Spencer Johnson sounds interesting too.
I just wish to be in an environment where effort and application are enough - not some weird ‘personality contest’ where, if you don’t fit the mould, you’re on the outer.
I said to my friend the other day, that I was a year younger than my Grandmother was (53) - when I was born; she was a happy, middle aged woman, who chose to work - as a part time ‘tea lady’ for some ‘pin money’, as she called it.
And if laws hadn’t changed i.e. to have women’s retirement raised from 60 to 65, I wouldn’t even have to consider updating my qualifications to ensure that I am employable.
When I first started nursing, we were paid trainees.. now WE pay to update qualifications that employers insist that we have, in order to ‘Maintain Standards’.
Anyway, I know that this is not quite the forum for this debate, save to say, that I fight my own depression, without tablets or councelling, and am just grateful for an ‘ear’.
My one wish - freedom from the fear of being “found out”.
My work performance suffers when I am unwell. I have had unsatisfactory performance reviews and have lost jobs as a result. But I’m too afraid to tell people the true reason.
I tend to agree with alot of the comments made so far. In an ideal world employers would be always checking in with their workers and adjusting work loads so that they match the workforce.
I
I WOULD LIKE MY NAME , FIRST AND SURNAME AND MY COMMENTS REMOVED FROM THIS SITE AND NOT AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE TO READ ASAP!!!!!