Depression and suicide prevention in the workplace
For International Mental Health Day on October 10, WHO is spotlighting suicide prevention.
Each year, more than 800,000 people die by suicide worldwide, and the number of suicide attempts is 10 to 20 times higher. To mark International Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization is highlighting (WHO) The focus is therefore on the topic of suicide prevention worldwide.
Mental illnesses are the main reason for suicides
In Western industrialized countries, the vast majority of suicides occur against a background of mental illness. In this context, the Depression In depressive phases of illness, those affected lose the ability to feel hope, joy or any feelings at all. Existing problems are perceived as magnified and a tormenting inner restlessness sets in. In their despair, affected people then see suicide as the only way to escape this unbearable state," says Prof. Ulrich Hegerl, Chairman of the Board of the Stiftung Deutsche Depression Help and holder of the Senckenberg Professorship at the Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy at Goethe University Frankfurt. Due to the close link between depression and suicidal behavior, improved treatment of mental illness leads to a reduced rate of suicidal acts (suicide attempts and completed suicides).
Suicide prevention and mental health in the workplace: what companies can do
Depression and Suicide Prevention are also an issue for employers. Mental illnesses and depression cause the longest absences. At around 35 days, employees with mental illness are on sick leave significantly longer than those with physical illness. Over 40% of health-related early retirements are due to mental illness. Hegerl emphasizes: "Employers can do a lot to ensure that employees with depressive illnesses receive professional treatment more quickly and avoid not only great suffering but also costs due to presenteeism and absenteeism. For this, it is necessary that basic knowledge and also action competence on depression and suicide prevention are available in the companies." Training of human resources managers and executives as well as education of all employees are necessary.
"Such training also includes learning how to have a conversation with an employee who, for example, no longer goes to the canteen with his colleagues or sits crying in front of his PC. How do I address my concerns and observations? What advice can be given? Who is responsible for treating the depression in the first place?" explains Hegerl further. Furthermore, the risk of relapse in the case of depression can be reduced by organizing one's work, for example, by avoiding shift work. "People with depression are often high performers in companies when they are healthy, and they react with great gratitude when they encounter understanding and appropriate responses from the company," Hegerl continues to emphasize.
More info
www.deutsche-depressionshilfe.de
Link tips and recommendations from the editors:
WHO's first report on suicide prevention
Practical examples of suicide prevention from the FOPH
Data on suicides and suicide attempts in Switzerland
Ritalin can Cause depression and Suicide risks increase or develop
Amok: the decisive trigger antidepressants?
Talk to your alternative practitioner: from many years of experience of the chief editor, the most effective against mild & moderate depression is regularly taken St. John's wort-preparations, Guarana and especially Vitamin D. In any case, treatment for long-lasting and severe depression belongs in the care of an experienced medical professional. For more information, please contact the editorial office.
"According to current estimates, the causes of depression can be manifold. Difficult life circumstances, stress and burn-out, genetic defects and - unfortunately still neglected today - also nutritional deficiencies. In particular, a deficiency of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and vitamin D is now associated with depression." (Quote: www.vitamind.net)
