A RECENT conference offered practical advice on how to recognise and treat depression and mental illness in the workplace.
Evidence shows mental illness is one of the main reasons for absenteeism in the workplace and is costing the local economy approximately £31 million each year.
It’s a major issue for Northern Ireland employers as the rates for depression in the province are 25 per cent higher than they are in England. It was on the back of these findings that mental health and depression charity AWARE held the ‘Depression-What Works’ conference.
AWARE, the only mental health charity in Northern Ireland with a focus solely on depression and bipolar disorder, delivers many mental health awareness programmes into a number of local business organisations.
The charity’s Chief Executive, Siobhan Doherty, explained: “Our conference saw more than 125 people from the local business community learn more about how to recognise, understand and support mental health issues in the workplace.
“We hope the outcome of the conference will facilitate a happier and more productive workforce, but also to help with the long-term profitability of Northern Ireland businesses.”