Depression in the Workplace. How to Recognise It?

What is depression and what is its prevalence?

Katarzyna, a 35-year-old HR manager, had always been energetic and dedicated to her professional responsibilities. She successfully led her team and knew how to motivate its members to work more efficiently. Over time, however, she noticed that it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to get up, and daily tasks began to overwhelm her. The stress associated with deadlines and company expectations became unbearable, and overtime meant she had no time for anything outside of work.

To cope with the tension, she began stress-eating sweets and reaching for a glass of wine before bed. At work, she avoided conversation, felt exhausted, and increasingly thought that her efforts were pointless. Her colleagues initially thought it was just temporary fatigue, but over time they noticed that Katarzyna was taking sick leave more often, becoming irritable, and struggling to concentrate. These are classic symptoms of depression in the workplace—a problem that affects not only managers, but employees at every level.

Depression is a serious mental health disorder characterized by a persistent low mood, loss of motivation and energy, and difficulties with daily functioning.

How can it be recognized? To speak of depression or a depressive episode from a clinical perspective, according to the ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems), at least five of the following ten symptoms must be present for at least two weeks:

1. depressed mood,
2. markedly diminished interest or pleasure in activities,
3. reduced ability to concentrate and maintain attention or marked indecisiveness,
4. feelings of low self-worth or excessive, inappropriate guilt,
5. hopelessness about the future,
6. recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts,
7. significantly disturbed sleep or excessive sleep,
8. significant changes in appetite or weight,
9. psychomotor agitation or retardation,
10. decreased energy or fatigue.

Depression affects 350 million people worldwide, including approximately 1.2 million people in Poland. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is one of the most common illnesses globally and a leading cause of disability. Depression is most frequently diagnosed in people aged 20–40. Statistics show that women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men, yet men have a higher suicide rate.

Consequences of untreated depression

Untreated depression can lead to serious consequences for both the individual and the organization. Chronic depression increases the risk of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorders, professional burnout, or addiction. It can also contribute to physical health problems, such as heart disease, hypertension, or a weakened immune system. People suffering from depression often struggle with concentration, decision-making, and task completion, which impacts their professional performance and can lead to job loss.

Untreated depression causes frequent sick leave. On the other hand, some employees come to work despite their poor mental state, which negatively affects their productivity and team morale. From January to July 2024, 12.5 million medical certificates were issued to ZUS-insured individuals due to their own illness, totaling 138.4 million days of sickness absence. The latest ZUS report on absences shows that mental disorders are one of the most common reasons for sick leave (12.5% of all types of leave – 17.2 million days). People with depression often withdraw from social life and have difficulty interacting with others, which can lead to conflict, isolation, and a further worsening of the problem. In extreme cases, depression can lead to suicidal thoughts and attempts.

How to recognize depression in a colleague?

The work environment has a huge impact on employees' mental health. Depression most often develops as a result of high demands, pressure, and an excessive workload, as well as a constant need to achieve results. A lack of support from supervisors and colleagues leads to isolation, and poor communication deepens the sense of loneliness. Job insecurity and the fear of losing one's job also increase stress and anxiety levels. Furthermore, a lack of work-life balance results in overwork, which contributes to a low mood. Companies that do not prioritize employee mental well-being often struggle with higher levels of absenteeism.

People in different roles may experience depression in different ways. According to the Karasek model, employees who face high demands while having low control over their tasks are more susceptible to stress and depression. Symptoms of depression are also more frequently experienced by people working on short-term contracts or in precarious employment conditions, as well as by employees who have to suppress their emotions (e.g., those working in customer service and team leaders).

Not every temporary dip in mood or bout of the blues means depression, but there are certain symptoms that should catch our attention, especially if they persist for at least two weeks:

• withdrawing from social contact and avoiding conversation,
• a drop in productivity, difficulty concentrating,
• frequent sick leave,
• apathy, lack of motivation to act,
• changes in behavior – increased irritability, extreme emotional reactions,
• an increase in errors at work, difficulty making decisions.

How to support a colleague with depression?

If you notice that someone on your team is struggling with a low mood, it is worth showing support. What can you do? Let's start with what to avoid. We should not:

• Judge, e.g., "You used to be so cheerful. It's toxic to be sad all the time," "You're just lazy."
• Commenting, criticizing, and mocking, e.g., "You're bringing everyone else down," "You're an energy vampire."
• Forcing advice by offering your own "magic cures" for happiness, e.g., "Start meditating or doing yoga, and you'll get over it."
• Comparing, e.g., "Others have it much worse. People are dying in wars, and you're complaining. Pull yourself together and appreciate what you have," "People lose their homes and somehow carry on."
• Saying: "Think positive! Life is beautiful!", "Cheer up!"

Instead, you can:

• Show empathy and care – ask if everything is okay, and listen without judging or giving advice.
• Offer help – e.g., by temporarily taking on some of their duties, finding solutions, or gently suggesting spending time together.
• Encourage them to seek professional help – companies can offer access to psychological consultations as part of their employee benefits and create various psychoeducational campaigns and workshops on mental health.
• Educate yourself about depression – the more you know about what your colleague is going through, the better you can support them.

How to create a work environment that supports good mental health?

Employers can play a key role in combating depression by:

• promoting open communication about mental health,
• training for leaders and HR professionals on recognizing and supporting employees with depression,
• flexible working hours and remote work options,
• employee psychological support and mental health programs,
• building a work culture based on collaboration and mutual support.

Depression in the workplace is a real issue that affects both individual employees and the entire organization. Appropriate preventive measures, support from colleagues and leaders, and fostering a healthy work environment can significantly reduce the risk of its occurrence. Employers who prioritize the mental well-being of their team not only improve the work experience but also increase the efficiency and loyalty of their staff.

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