Healthy staff make a healthy business

What illness affects all of us in our life time, either personally, or through someone we know?

What illness isn’t openly obvious by a scar or physical limitations?
What illness affects over 4% of preschoolers?
What illness is predicted to be the highest killer of the population after heart disease by 2020.
What illness is not limited to social or marital status, race, age, income or intelligence?
What illness results in more absenteeism than almost any other physical disorder, costing employers more the $51bil per year in lost productivity?

Shane Drew has been involved in the sign industry since 1992.  Before that he had a very successful career in sales, winning several Sales Awards before deciding on a career change in his early 30’s.  Shane has been writing freelance articles since 2002 and is a sign industry mentor for sign shops both in Australia and Europe, is a regular contributor to Europe’s biggest sign industry forum, and is well known in local circles for his passion about the Australian Sign Industry.  Shane is Managing Director of Drews Sign It Pty Ltd, a family business who are supporters of several major charities and not-for-profit organisations, donating over $30,000 in signage in 2008 alone.  A recent highlight is his appointment as a Green Guardian for his support of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, on Queensland’s Southern Gold Coast.  He is an avid photographer of animals and landscapes, and also loves a chat, so be warned!

This illness?  Depression.

Depression has been recorded in bible times from the first century with Epaphroditus, a bible character from Philippi, so it is not new.

Many years ago, before depression was so well documented, a staff member that wasn’t coping would often be considered ‘different’ or antisocial. Perhaps they were overworked, but its was fair to say that the majority of employers probably thought they were not taking their job seriously, pulling their weight or perhaps even trying to get out of work.

So why should we care? Is depression solely limited to the wide format printing industry?

No, but as employers, it is in our interests be aware of our staff’s health and any issues they are dealing with. Essentially, whatever they are going through on a personal level, will effect their attitude on a productive level.

Talking to a HR executive recently, she pointed out that as an employer we have a duty of care obligation to help if we are made aware of any issues. Not only for depression, but even for anger management, which in truth, could be hiding a depressive condition.

Its also important to remember that depression is not limited to any age group or staff level, employee or employer.

According to beyondblue.org.au (BB), woman are twice as likely to experience depression as men, but men are four times more likely to suicide than woman. While depression in woman can probably be attributed the child birth, not every woman can be pigeon holed in that regard. And even if it was of a post natal type, employers still have a duty of care to their staff to address anything of this nature, if they are aware of a problem.

The BB website also brings some frightening facts to our attention. It says that the experience of male depression is complicated by the fact that men are more likely than women to shy away from medical treatment of any kind. Instead of discussing psychological problems, or seeking appropriate treatment, men may turn to alcohol or drugs when they are depressed or anxious.

Depression has been called the silent killer because statistics show that 15% of people in our community will commit suicide. Interestingly, 54% of depressed people believe that their depression is a personal weakness.

Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health problems in young people. Youths often display depression through lack of energy, withdrawing from social situations, disruptive behaviour or substance abuse – either drugs or alcohol.

Older employees may display memory, concentration and planning difficulties or overwhelming feelings of guilt, hopelessness or failure.

Do you have staff that fit these parameters?

Depression is often associated with our state of mind and our sense of wellbeing. Our heart plays a valuable role in our overall piece of mind. Studies show depression is a contributory factor to fatal coronary disease, so the heart and mind are clearly influenced by each other.

Its worth noting too that prolonged negative feelings within us can rob us of strength, making us feel weak and vulnerable – depressed. 
It is important then that we have a healthy balanced view of our worth.

Of course, we have faults and make mistakes, but depression is real, and we’d be foolish to think we are immune from these issues within our industry.

Interestingly, advice by organisations dedicated to helping overcome depression includes – Good relationships with partners, carers, teachers, co-workers and a supportive social network results in physical and emotional healing, happiness and life satisfaction, and prevents isolation and loneliness, major factors in depressive illness.

If we are depressed we should seek help. Beyondblue.org.au is a good place to start.

But why are we discussing depression here on Wide Format Online? The answer is simple. Why not?

It is something that will effect us all at some stage, and ignoring it will not make it go away.

In this day and age, we all have plenty of stressors that can trigger a depressive episode at any time.

Some of us may need medication, some might just need to slow down and smell the roses for a while, but we all have the responsibility to be aware of the symptoms, and if we know someone who may need help, we have an obligation, even if it is only a moral one, to help.

I was diagnosed with depression a year ago today. It took my wife to physically take me a Doctor to see if we could find out why I was constantly tired and increasingly antisocial. I put it down to overwork. I think it fair to say I went to the Doctor to keep the peace.

What my wife didn’t know was that I was having suicidal thoughts on a regular basis. I was becoming more curious how I’d die. In retrospect, I should have seen the signs myself. But that is the problem with depression, it often takes someone else to see the changes and ring some bells.

My wife of 26 years is a wonderful woman. I believe she may have saved my life.

The question remains though. Do you have any staff that you feel may display a depressive illness? What about you?

Please, if you do feel that you may need help, then seek help. If you have staff that display these issues, then offer them help too.

This is my last story for this year, and I‘d like to thank you for reading my Food for Thought in 2009.

Please have a safe holiday if you are having time off, don’t work too hard if you are not.

Take care, see you next year

Shane Drew
[email protected]