From the 18th to the 24th of April is Depression Awareness Week led by Depression Alliance. This year the campaign is called ‘Don’t keep depression under your hat’. The aims of the week are to bring awareness, end stigma and to promote Friends In Need.
According to Depression Alliance “One in six of the working population in the UK suffer from depression, anxiety or problems relating to stress with depression being the single most important cause of workplace absenteeism in the UK”.
Depression is becoming an increasing problem that still has the taboo label stuck all over it. Depression can affect not only you finding a job but also while you are in that job. The rejection of prospective jobs can also lead to a spiralling circle of self-hate which can sometimes just make depression that much worse.
On Depression Alliance’s website is a quote from Geoff McDonald, former HR Vice President for Unilever:
“Now more than ever we need to break the stigma and taboo associated with depression in the corporate world. Employers particularly need to start with educating leaders and all employees on which symptoms to look out for, how to help and manage someone with depression and integrate them back into the workplace and the aspects of organisational culture that need to change to create more caring organisations.”
Friends In Need is an online platform where people affected by depression can meet online and in their local area. This helps to create a community where you can seek help around any issues you may have, such as employment.
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