Posted by IsoM on November 13, 2002, at 18:12:28
In reply to Re: Disagree but don't want to cause a rift-IsoM, posted by Miller on November 13, 2002, at 15:40:33
This isn't my area of expertise so I may not always use the proper terminology. I don't profess to know lots about this either but I can point out a few possibilities, so please be patient with any errors.
1. It's known that physical activity, exercise, goes a long way to improving depression. Any workplace where an employee spends hours & hours in a stationary position, perhaps bent over a computer, could benefit their employees by providing more frequent breaks and/or an exercise room or cheap membership in a gym close by. People who may normally be more active could find themselves more depressed by inactivity without being aware why. Not all are affected to the same degree but all would benefit from increased physical activity.
2. Workplaces structured in a manner where those low in ranking receive the lion’s share of the blame but are powerless to provide feedback for improving matters can bring about depression among these employees. It’s based on evidence that feelings of hopelessness & depression arise when a person feels powerless, when they have no control or power to change a certain situation. Finding a different job is rarely an option for those who find themselves in low-paying jobs. Telling people to upgrade their training isn’t always practical either. Just one example below -
There was a young man in a few of my computer classes who seemed ill-suited for such classes. In talking with him, I found he used to have a job in forestry but as the industry was being down-sized, he was offered training in computers, a field that’s viewed as rapidly expanding. Hew was eager to try it. Unfortunately, it was a choice unsuited for him. He soon dropped out as it was beyond his ability to understand the complexities of computers needed for a job in that field. At times, I’m appalled at the level of training needed sometimes for even minimum wage jobs – training often costing more than these persons can afford.
3. Workplaces that pile a great deal of responsibility & work load on certain people in an effort to cut back (downsizing) & save money need to rethink such policies. Such employees suffer burn-out (often characterized by depression) & end up costing companies far more in the long run.
Here in BC Canada, nurses have a very heavy workload. Their annual income is surprisingly a lot, but I found out that it’s due to the cut-backs on hospitals by government cuts, forcing nurses to work staggering hours of over-time. It’s all the over-time that’s boosted their income but not because they want to. Nurses who refuse over-time are often found out of a job, or undue pressure is put on them to work impossibly long hours. Burn-out is recognized in many other jobs as a real problem too.
These are just three considerations off the top of my head. If I did some checking, I’m sure there are many more that could be shown. Yes, depression is a mental disorder that has a chemical imbalance of the brain to blame. But think for a moment – we’re very much bags of constantly changing & fluctuating chemicals. These changes are VERY much affected by the environment. That’s how we work. It’s obvious that certain changes in our surroundings affect us easily. High temperatures cause our body to adjust to prevent us from overheating. This adjustment comes from subtle changes in our body chemistry. Danger causes changes too – adrenaline levels sharply rise, heart beat increases, blood flow to the extremities lessen, but this happens from something far less tangible – the perception of fear. So too with unnecessary stresses in the workplace. Long-term stress, especially without hope of resolve, causes chemical changes in the body & brain that lead to depression in EVERYONE if severe enough & lasting long enough. But it will show first in individuals who are more genetically sensitive. Yes, I believe (& so do many others) that workplaces can contribute to depression – even causing it in people who previously showed no signs of it.
If this wasn’t true, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the National Health Information Center, the National Institutes of Health, the International Labour Organization, & many more organizations & governmental agencies wouldn’t be taking such a close look at this issue & how to deal with it. I don't mind you questioning the concept of depression caused by poor working conditions at all, but do wish to point out some ideas for you to think over & hopefully, look into further on your own.
poster:IsoM
thread:32168
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021106/msgs/32224.html