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When an employee is living with depression or another mental health condition, they may need extra understanding and support in the workplace. These conditions can significantly impact an individual’s well-being and work performance. Depression, for example, can feel overwhelming, with persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, or emptiness, and a loss of interest in things that once brought joy. These episodes aren’t just fleeting moments—they can last most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.
As an employer, manager, or colleague, you’re not expected to have all the answers or to “fix” mental health conditions—that’s not your role. But you can make a meaningful difference by creating a workplace where people feel safe and supported. A little compassion and open communication can go a long way.
Take the time to understand what mental health challenges like depression might look like and how they affect individuals. On this page, you’ll find information about common mental health conditions, such as depression, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, to help you better support colleagues who may be experiencing them.
General information
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English
5 minutes
5 min
5-10 min
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This fact sheet by Mental Health Commission of Canada busts common myths and misconceptions about mental illness.
What are depressive disorders? How do they differ from depression? Read this article from the World Health Organisation to understand depressive disorders, their symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Sometimes, the signs of depression are not so obvious. Watch this video from Psych2Go to learn seven unobvious signs of depression. Please see a healthcare professional if you see yourself relating to many of these symptoms.
This video by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America introduces major depressive disorder, which is a common mental health challenge and not the same as depression. Whether you’re someone dealing with major depressive disorder or want to support someone who is, this video is here to help.
What is depression? Learn about the signs and symptoms of depression in this video from a medical doctor, produced by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
This short test by Beyond Blue asks you 10 questions about how you’ve been feeling over the past 4 weeks. Completing the test will help you understand what kind of support you might need right now.
People can have various types of mental disorders. On this webpage article by World Health Organisation, you can read more about various types of mental disorders.