USG Cares EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Recognizing Signs of Depression
Are you concerned that someone you work with is struggling with depression? Although no two people experience depression in exactly the same way, the following are some symptoms that may be present.
Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling “slowed down” Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts Health complaints without a clear physical cause that do not ease even with treatment
At work, symptoms might manifest as showing up late for work, decreased energy, missed deadlines, and/or frustration or anger. It’s important to avoid diagnosing someone as these symptoms could be related to other issues. If you are concerned, the best thing you can do is show interest in their well-being, be genuine, caring, open, available, and offer support. Depending on what you are observing, you could say something like “you seem a little tired/quiet/down lately; is everything ok?” or “I’ve noticed you haven’t felt like joining us for lunch; are you feeling alright?” This could lead to the individual saying they’ve been feeling down or unmotivated or have experienced some recent life event. Especially with colleagues or those you supervise, you will want to avoid prying and keep things professional, but you could remind them about USG Cares, your Employee Assistance Program and that it is a free, completely confidential counseling resource that is available 24/7/365. Check in with them later to see if they have been able to call, and if not, perhaps offer to help them make the call. Depression often interferes with peoples’ ability to complete tasks so making a phone call can be difficult. Reminding someone that quality help
is available offers hope for the future about an effective path to improvement. If you or anyone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, call 988 immediately.
National Institute of Mental Health. Depression. March 2024, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
USG Cares, Your Employee Assistance Program Anytime, any day, you have free, confidential access to professional consultants and online resources to help you be your best. To access these services, call or log on to get started.
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WEBSITE: www.USG.MyLifeExpert.com Code: USGCares
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