Truthmatters
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Not only that, you'd have a more compliant populace too!The Government should consider adding lithium salts to tap water in an effort to lower depression rates, a consultant psychiatrist has suggested.
I think the only thing that should be added to water is Jack Daniels.
One in 10 workers has taken time off because of depression, a poll of 7,000 people in seven European countries has found. The Mori survey was carried out for the European Depression Association (EDA) in Britain, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Spain and France. Those in Britain, Denmark and Germany were most likely to be off work because of depression. A UK expert said support for people with depression was improving. Overall, 20% of the 7,000 polled had received a diagnosis of depression at some point in their lives. The highest rate was in Britain, where 26% had been diagnosed and the lowest in Italy, where the figure was 12%. Among workers experiencing depression, those in Germany (61%), Denmark (60%), and Britain (58%) were most likely to take time off work, while those in Turkey were the least likely (25%).
Researchers have previously estimated the cost of depression at 92bn (£73bn) in 2010 across the EU, with lost productivity due to time off or under-performance accounting for most of the costs. An average of 36 days were taken for the last episode of depression - but figures ranged from 41 in Britain to 23 in Italy. Across the countries surveyed, one in four of with depression said they did not tell their employer. One in three of them said they were worried it could put their job at risk. A third of the 792 managers surveyed said they had no formal support in place to help them deal with employees experiencing depression. But the situation was better in Britain, with most of the 117 managers questioned reporting good back-up from their HR department.
'Attention and action'
Dr Vincenzo Costigliola, president of the EDA, said "The results of the survey show that much needs to be done in raising awareness and supporting employees and employers in recognising and managing depression in the workplace. "We ask policymakers to consider the impact of depression on the workforce and charge them with addressing depression and workers and workplace safety." MEP Stephen Hughes, who holds the Employment and Social Affairs portfolio in the European Parliament, backs better support and protection for workers. He said: "Depression in the workplace is an employment and societal challenge that is causing serious damage and which requires attention and action from the European Union."
Emer O'Neill, chief executive of the Depression Alliance, said the situation in the UK was improving. "We have moved forward significantly. Depression and anxiety is being talked about more and is more widely recognised. GPs are more receptive. "In addition, employers are increasingly coming to groups like us to help them provide support and put procedures in place to allow people to go through this illness like they would any other.
BBC News - One in 10 workers has taken time off for depression
Dr. Shekhar Saxena said more than 350 million people around the world suffer from depression. When we say depression, we are talking about the mental disorder, which is very specific and is much beyond the usual feelings of sadness that everybody gets once in a while. Saxena is director of the WHOs Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. The disorder of depression is characterized by sustained sadness for two weeks or more and also interference with day-to-day work or other everyday responsibilities. So its actually a disease than just an emotional state, Saxena said.
And there are many causes. There are biological causes change in the neurotransmitters in the brain but also personality and environmental factors, which all give rise to what we then see the syndrome of depression, he said. Dr. Saxena said trained medical professionals should be able to diagnose depression not only by a physical examination, but by asking the right questions. Those questions center on a persons emotional state. Are there long periods of sadness or crying? Does a person have low self-worth, a feeling that life has no meaning or suicidal thoughts? The World Health organization estimates one million people commit suicide every year with a large proportion having experienced depression. It also says up to one in five women, who give birth, suffer from post-partum depression.
A recent WHO-supported study reported that about 5 percent of the people in any given community had depression during the past year. Depression is a global problem, and all regions of the world have around the same figures of depression. In fact, its a myth that depression is very common amongst developed countries, and is perhaps not seen in developing countries. Thats completely false. And poor countries and poor societies, including in Africa, are actually particularly pre-disposed to depression because of a very high level of stress, as well as other physical conditions, like HIV/AIDS, like chronic diseases and other social and economic factors, Saxena said.
While there are many causes, Saxena said there are also many treatments, including inexpensive medication. There is also therapy and other psychological and social interventions. The World Health Organization warns stigma is a huge problem that prevents many people from seeking help. Its very important that everybody recognizes depression as a condition and looks out for it amongst oneself, ones friends and family. And support them to take treatment and to disclose that one can be suffering from this problem. Stigma can be removed by proper knowledge and proper attitude, he said. The WHOs Mental Health Gap Action Program trains health workers in low-income countries to recognize mental disorders and provide treatment.
Many Millions Suffer from Depression