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Workplace Depression & Suicide

Workplace Depression & Suicide. Lorain County Safety Program 11/17/10 Barb Furst, MA, LICDC, CEAP, LSW Director of EAP Services Nord Center EAP. Some Facts about Depression. More Americans suffer from depression than coronary heart disease, cancers and AIDS combined

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Workplace Depression & Suicide

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  1. Workplace Depression & Suicide Lorain County Safety Program 11/17/10 Barb Furst, MA, LICDC, CEAP, LSW Director of EAP Services Nord Center EAP

  2. Some Facts about Depression • More Americans suffer from depression than coronary heart disease, cancers and AIDS combined • Usually affects women • Onset occurs most often between ages 15-30 • 1in 14 employees will suffer from depression at some point in their work career • Different types of depression, inc. Bipolar, SAD • Sources: Working Minds, CDC

  3. How Does it Impact the Workplace? Productivity Increased absenteeism Increased accidents Increased use of short term disability Increased use of medical benefits Chronic physical complaints Competitiveness

  4. Signs to Look For • Changes in mood • Decrease self esteem and self worth • Loss of pleasure • Sleep and appetite changes • Motivation and energy level changes • Social withdrawal • “Unreasonable” Guilt • Decrease in concentration (creativity, innovation, information processing) • Talking about suicide or suicidal gestures • Ongoing sadness

  5. Suicide Statistics Lorain County Suicides by Age Group Year <=12 13 – 18 19 – 25 26 – 35 36 – 50 51 – 65 66 + 2009 0 0 1 0 7 2 1 2008 0 4 0 6 13 7 2 2007 0 0 2 5 10 9 5 Total 0 4 3 11 30 18 8 L.C. =Lower than the national average L.C. =Ranked 66th out of 88 counties Source: Ohio Department of Health

  6. National Workplace Statistics • Greater chance for homicide than suicide in the workplace • More than one-fourth of suicides in the workplace were between ages 35-44 • 94% were men • 78% were Caucasian • Highest Risk Occupations - Management Sales & related positions Production • “Relative Risk” Occupations – Police & Detectives Military Farmers / Agriculture • 30% were self employed -2008 Bureau of LaborStatistics

  7. Why Does It Happen • History of depression and mental illness • History of alcohol or drug abuse • Family history of depression and suicide • History of previous suicide attempts • Stressful life events or loss • Job loss • Financial difficulties • Marital problems • Dissatisfaction with the job • Trouble with coworker and/or supervisor • Excessive stress & feelings of powerlessness • Easy access to lethal means • Exposure to suicidal behavior of others (“Copy Cat”) Source: CDC

  8. Suicides by Method • 55% Firearms • 20% Suffocation/Asphyxiation (by hanging) • 17% Poisoning / toxicity • 6% Unspecified • 2% Cutting Source: www.WorkingMinds.org

  9. How To Decrease Depression & Suicide in the Workplace • Policies & Procedures addressing conduct and workplace violence • Provide education and training for ALL levels of the workplace (health fairs, brown bag seminars, literature) • Identify internal advocates or referral mechanisms inc. HR, Share Nurses, Safety Rep • Greater awareness of your EAP • List of community resources • Provide Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Services (CISD)

  10. Where To Go For Help • Nord Center Emergency Hotline # 1-800-888-6161 24/7 • National Suicide Prevention Hotline # 1-800-273-TALK 24/7 • Check your insurance plan for MH/Substance Abuse providers • PCP

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