One third of people struggle to cope at work because of depression, stress or burn out.... and 80% feel isolated or lonely as a result, study finds

One third of people struggle to cope at work due to depression or stress

Some 83% of those affected feel isolated or lonely as result, says survey

But 71% of people said discussing their condition with colleague helped

Online research published today as part of Depression Awareness Week

A third of people struggle to cope at work because of depression, stress or burn out, according to a survey published today.

Some 83 per cent of those affected experience isolation or loneliness as a result, the study found.

Only half of those feeling lonely or isolated had confided in a colleague, yet 71 per cent found that discussing their condition with a colleague helped them feel better.

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Difficulty: A third of people struggle to cope at work because of depression, stress or burn out, according to a survey published today. Some 83 per cent of those affected experience isolation or loneliness as a result

The online research, involving 1,200 people, was published by the charity Depression Alliance as part of Depression Awareness Week.

It also highlights the need for employers to take action to recognise the condition better and to support affected staff.

 

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Another report, published by business leaders, shows how companies including Royal Mail, Barclays and Unilever are helping depressed workers by implementing new policies to enable structured support and processes for affected workers.

Tim Munden, vice president HR, Unilever UK, said: 'At Unilever we firmly believe that addressing depression through our mental health policies benefits both our business and our employees.

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Fighting depression: Tim Munden (left), vice president HR, Unilever UK, says the firm addresses depression through its mental health policies. Meanwhile, Norman Lamb (right) claims he wants to build a 'fairer society' 

'We aim for a 10 per cent reduction by 2015 in work-related mental ill-health cases and working days lost to mental ill-health.'

Emer O'Neill, chief executive of Depression Alliance, said: 'Depression is the biggest mental health challenge among working-age people and often leads to considerable loneliness and isolation at work.

'However, many companies aren't properly equipped to manage employees who suffer from depression so providing support to these individuals in the workplace is essential.

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Lonely: The online research was published by charity Depression Alliance as part of Depression Awareness Week. It also highlights the need for employers to take action to recognise the condition better (file picture)

'We have just launched Friends in Need, (www.friendsinneed.co.uk) which provides anyone with depression with a free and easy way to connect, either online or by meeting in groups and taking part in local activities, all of which help stop the feelings of loneliness and isolation.'

Depression Awareness Week, organised by Depression Alliance, lasts to next Saturday.

Care and Support Minister, Norman Lamb, said: 'I want to build a fairer society so that anyone with a mental health problem such as depression gets the support they need when they need it.

'That's why we've invested £400 million in improving access to treatment for conditions including depression and anxiety - which support people to stay in work.

'I want to build a fairer society so that anyone with a mental health problem such as depression gets the support they need when they need it'

Norman Lamb

 

'We are looking at ways for mental health and employment services to work more closely together and support people both in, and out, of work in building emotional resilience, developing well-being and getting support for their mental health problems.

'This is an incredibly important subject and there are some great employers already leading the way, such as BT.

'We've also invested £16million in the Time to Change programme to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and last year we published a guide showing managers how to support employees with mental health problems in the best way possible.'

TNS Omnibus conducted online research among 1,215 British adults aged 16+. The research was commissioned on behalf of Depression Alliance and conducted between April 10 and 14.

'Depression in the Workplace in Europe: A report featuring new insights from business leaders' is published by the Target Depression in the Workplace Advisory Group, an initiative set up by several large companies to advise and support human resources professionals across Europe on managing depression among employees.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2614535/One-people-struggle-cope-work-depression-stress-burn-80-cent-feel-isolated-lonely-result-study-finds.html#ixzz30IfIcM4J 
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