Depressed People Should Not Avoid Work
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iStock/Thinkstock(MELBOURNE, Australia) — Sure, work can be depressing at times but the reasons for depression may be far more than just having a nagging boss.
And while no one wants to minimize the seriousness of this particular form of mental illness, researchers from University of Melbourne and the University of Tasmania believe one of the worst things depressed people can do is avoid going to work.
They point out that work has certain health benefits such as maintaining daily routines and receiving support from co-workers “while depression-related absence from work offers no significant improvement in employee health outcomes or quality of life.”
Employers should also be aware that depression-related absences cost them money as well, especially if they have to replace a chronically absent worker.
As a result, the researchers strongly recommend that employers institute strategies to assist those suffering from depression such as “offering flexible work-time and modification of tasks or working environment.”
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