Whistle while you work?

Been thinking a lot in last few days about the impact the work environment has on anxiety and depression.  Not just for myself, but on a wider scale.

Work is something we all do, to a point, and I would imagine very few people enjoy work.  Those who do really are blessed, believe me.  But what happens when work is not a giant fairy cupcake of joy?

To be honest, anxiety and depression sufferers would more than likely not be the top priority on any companies list.  Another cog in a well oiled machine, a number on a clock card, a pair of hands behind the wheel etc.  And that's fair enough.  We live in austere times, and the profit/loss margins are of a much bigger concern.

Other things can happen to cause concern.  An example of this would be something like the big boss has a pop at a line manager.  The line manager then lays into a member of normal staff.  The normal member of staff then relays the event to the other staff members.  An uneasy atmosphere ensues.  Anxiety levels rise, and the clouds of depression gather. 

It can work the other way too, sometimes work can be a way of refocusing and taking your mind of other problems.  Work can help calm your mind.  But if the anxiety builds at work, you only breed further problems.  You have no quiet time.

The owner where I work knows all about the anxiety and depression.  He has been supportive, kind and helpful.  I have had some short periods away from work to refocus and settle down late last year and early this year, which they let me take without question.  It is quite rare I imagine to find a boss with that level of understanding nowadays. 

I sometimes wonder if there is almost a fear factor with people approaching the issue at work.  If you worked with me and asked me how I was, I wouldn't melt into a doughy mess of tears and anger.  If you approached me and asked me stuff about anxiety and depression, I would certainly be able to talk about it now.  That's how far I have improved since November last year.  But most people just don't know how to say something, or don't even bother.

On other levels, I still don't think enough is being done for people with these problems.  The people doing the work for the Time To Change charity are making incredible strides to create a different outlook on the issue.

I would say on a more wider scale, people need to educated on what anxiety and depression actually is.  Lots of people suffer from varying forms of it.  Lots of people deal with it every single day and a lot of them suffer it on their own for fear of ridicule, humiliation and isolation.  They don't deserve to suffer like that. 

Why don't you print this out, give it to your boss and ask them to take a look at the time to change website http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/.  Ask them when was the last time they stepped back from their spreadsheets, number crunching and emailing, and asked their workforce how they were doing?