Letter to the Editor

Depression in the South African workplace

Marthinus P. Stander, Margreet Bergh, Helen Elizabeth Miller-Janson, Janetta C. De Beer, Frans A. Korb
South African Journal of Psychiatry | Vol 22, No 1 | a814 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v22i1.814 | © 2016 Marthinus P. Stander, Margreet Bergh, Helen Elizabeth Miller-Janson, Janetta C. De Beer, Frans A. Korb | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 01 April 2015 | Published: 20 May 2016

About the author(s)

Marthinus P. Stander, Hexor (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
Margreet Bergh, Hexor (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
Helen Elizabeth Miller-Janson, Hexor (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
Janetta C. De Beer, Hexor (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
Frans A. Korb, Psychiatrist, Private Practice, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder and can be costly, having a significant impact on the individual and employers. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) in partnership with HEXOR, with the support of Lundbeck, undertook research into depression in the workplace, because South African information is not available on this topic. It provides insight into the prevalence of depression within the workplace in South Africa, as well as the impact of depression on the employees and employers in terms of sick leave and levels of productivity, especially when the symptoms include cognitive impairment. It is apparent that stigma plays a pivotal role in the reasons for non-disclosure to employers. It further highlights the magnitude of awareness, early detection and the provision of a holistic support system within the work environment, free from bias, to ensure that optimum benefit can be achieved for both employer and employee.

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