I think most of us who have struggled with depression or anxiety have experienced the dilemma of whether to disclose our illness to our work colleagues or not. Whilst it makes sense to discuss what we are living with, many of us are fearful that if we are honest, it could jeopardise our career prospects.

I believe that most of this fear stems from the people not be able to have sensible conversations about depression and anxiety in the workplace. This is ironical as it is the biggest contributor of lost productivity.

Whether you work for small company or a large employer, I would like to propose something that we all can do to make a difference. Ask your boss if your work team can start conversations that could change lives on October 7^th by participating in RU OK? At Work. Whilst we all recognize that things won’t change over night – we have to start somewhere. If you don’t feel like pushing it – suggest it to someone else in your team.

RU OK? at Work is the workplace component of RU OK? Day. All workplace posters and guides can be found by going to RU OK? at Work and registering.

R U OK? Day, now in its second year, is the first national initiative of its kind. On R U OK? Day on October 7, all Australians will be encouraged to use the time they take to have their coffee to connect with their friends, loved ones and colleagues by reaching out to anyone doing it tough and having a conversation that could change a life.

Simply ask: “Are you okay?” and help stop little problems from turning into big problems.

Why start a conversation? Because a lack of connection can have a critical impact on someone’s social and emotional well-bring and, at times, this feeling of disconnection can place people at risk of taking their own lives.

That’s why R U OK? Day on October 7^th will bring Australians together in a bid to help prevent risk factors contributing to suicide. It will also promote awareness of help and support services available by raising the profile of existing organisations that provide such services to those who need support.

More information on RUOK? Day  and resources for how to have an effective conversation and where to get help can be found at www.ruokday.com.au.

What are your suggestions, questions, comments about RU OK? at Work? Please reply to this post.

Kind Regards

Graeme

 

Tags: adversity, anxiety, depression treatments, ruok, work stress, workplace stress

Between 2000-2005 I went through, what my psychiatrist described as the worst episode of depression he had ever treated. Although I had experienced four major episodes of depression previously, this was by far the worst. During that time I was hospitalised 4 times and attempted suicide. I tried 23 different medications, underwent ECT (shock treatment) on 20 occasions, tried Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Acupuncture, Kinesiology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and participated in many other programs related to the treatment of clinical depression.

Generally there are thought to be 2 major types of depression, reactive – which occurs due to adverse circumstances, and melancholic – which seems to be more biological in nature, and can occur for no apparent reason. The latter was my diagnosis. Whatever  the cause,  I know it is impossible to describe the despair I felt.

After coming out of a 9 week stint in a psychiatric hospital in 2005, I began to walk regularly every day (even though I didn’t feel like it) and began having regular contact with family and friends who I had been isolating from (didn’t feel like that either). I also began taking a higher dose of a medication I had been on. Over the next  4 months, my mood lifted a little. A friend then encouraged me to do a meditation course. I had tried this when I was severely depressed, but found that I couldn’t concentrate. This time I was able to experience peace and this further lifted my mood.

 When I was at my worst, I yearned for stories of people who had been through what I was feeling and had come out the other side. Now that my mood had lifted significantly, I decided to prepare a book that told authentic stories of hope.

In 2007, “BACK FROM THE BRINK: Australians tell their stories of overcoming depression” was launched at the Black Dog Institute in Sydney. In it I interviewed people like the ex WA Premier, Geoff Gallop, Olympic Swimming Gold Medallist’s John Konrads and Petria Thomas, artist Margaret Olley, poet Les Murray, and 7 other everyday Australians. These courageous people told their stories with honesty and dignity.

The book launch lead to around 150 media interviews and book signings. What astonished me was that around 70% of the people who spoke to me during these events, were loved ones of the depressed person, desperate to know how they could make a difference. This lead to me writing “BACK FROM THE BRINK TOO: Helping your loved one overcome depression” which was awarded SANE’s 2009 Book of the Year.

Through the process of writing the books and afterwards, I interviewed over 5000 people, either in person or via surveys, to understand their strategies for bouncing back. This is what I’ve learnt.

When you are severely depressed there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I know from personal experience that you can reach a point where you TOTALLY lose hope. This emphasizes two things. It’s essential to act early and seek help before you slip below the water. The cargiver can play a critical role by providing much needed emotional support and encouragement.  Carers can often they feel pushed away, but they should be assured that this is the response of someone in great pain who is lashing out.

The mental health system is extraordinarily fragmented. There are resources out there, but it is incredibly difficult to find holistic solutions. For those trying to make sense of it when they are depressed, it is almost impossible. For a comprehensive list of helplines and mental health websites there is a free ebook at www.DepressionCarer.com

If you’re holding a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Mental health professionals are very well meaning, but in most cases, the communication between say a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, community health worker, naturopath, hospital employees, etc, about your case is virtually zero. You may find that, for example, your psychologist recommends Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, your psychiatrist antidepressants, your naturopath St Johns Wart, a GP exercise. What complicates this further is that some health professionals are openly dismissive of the advice of others, leaving you wondering who to believe. Some fantastic GP’s play the role of a defacto case manager and help guide people through this maze. Unfortunately they are rare. If you do not believe your GP has good expertise in mental health,  go to www.beyondblue.org.au and do a postcode search to identify doctors that have a special interest (and training) in your area.

There are multiple tracks to the land of milk and honey  The term “depression” is used to cover a myriad of situations and symptoms. The vast majority of GP’s have a one size fits all approach which is usually just drug or therapy oriented. Everyone’s path to recovery is unique – there is no golden bullet. In my view and from what 5000 people have told me, you are best to follow multiple strategies. When I asked people who had overcome or managed their depression what worked best for them they listed the following 7 strategies: exercise, support of family and friends, psychological counselling, fulfilling work, meditation/relaxation, nutrition, and antidepressants. To see the details of the research you can download a free ebook from www.IamBackFromTheBrink.com

In summary, if my best friend experienced the symptoms of depression every day for two weeks this would be my advice to them:

1.       Immediately encourage them to see their GP (or help them find one with mental health expertise – see above).

2.       Encourage them to share what is happening to them with a couple of trusted friends/family members.

3.       Encourage them to begin walking (or equivalent) every day and offer to accompany them.

4.       Encourage them to set moderate goals for the next week for the above 3 areas - ask them what they think is realistic.

What thoughts/comments/questions do you have about this article? What advice would you give a best friend who you thought was depressed? Please reply to this post.

Kind Regards

Graeme

Graeme Cowan is an International Speaker and Author who educates people on how to bounce back from challenging times.  www.GraemeCowan.com.au

Tags: Bounce Back, graeme cowan, overcome adversity, overcoming depression, resilience