Depression is a business issue
Community Partner: Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Depression is a dangerous disease. Not because it affects a large number of individuals -121 million worldwide - but because it carries a lot of stigma. This stigma drives most individuals suffering from depression to hide it and not seek help. But depression is a treatable disease and the earlier you treat it the better and faster the outcomes are.
This year 46 per cent of Albertans will be affected by depression. This is almost half of our population that will either suffer from depression or be affected by it while dealing with a friend or family member going through depression.
Depression is not only a family matter, it is a business issue and must become an HR priority.
Depression can significantly affect a person's behaviour. It considerably lowers energy levels, it affects the ability to concentrate or focus and can lead to serious problems such as substance abuse and violence. Depression is a leading cause of loss of productivity, sick days and disability. This treatable disease affects almost half of our community and we're not doing nearly enough to stop it.
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce recognizes the seriousness of this matter in our community and in Calgary's workforce and is taking steps to try and tackle it.
This year the Calgary Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Calgary Counselling Centre, to raise awareness of depression as a community and business issue and the costly and devastating effects it can bring upon us.
October 6, 2011 is National Depression Screening Day. The Chamber is urging the Calgary business community to take a free online test, which can be done with complete anonymity, and seek help if needed.
"Depression is a business issue," says Adam Legge, President and CEO, Calgary Chamber of Commerce. "The loss of productivity, days of work lost, sick days and long term disability due to depression affects a large number of Calgary's workforce. This affects Calgary businesses and the economic viability of our city."
One of Calgary Counselling Centre's main areas of expertise is depression. Through the years, the Centre has seen an increase in the number of cases and the devastating consequences depression can bring if untreated. That's why the Centre, for the seventh year in a row, is offering the free depression screening test on Depression Screening Day, aligning with the North American screening for Mental Illness.
"I am thrilled the Chamber recognizes depression as a business issue and will be participating to raise awareness of National Depression Screening Day," says Robbie Babins-Wagner, CEO, Calgary Counselling Centre. "Depression is a real and a widespread issue. It can be caused by all manner of things: financial worries, relationship problems, social pressures, job challenges and health issues, to name a few. The fact that depression is a treatable mental illness, makes this test a resource for people to get help."
The Chamber of Commerce will help raise awareness of depression as a business issue and encourage its members to take the screening test on Oct. 6. The Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a news conference on Oct. 5, encouraging all businesses to offer this test in their organizations.
"Calgary Counselling Centre is committed to reduce the devastating effects of this treatable illness in our community" says Robbie. "On Oct. 6, the free online screening test provides a simple way to help people discover if the way they've been feeling could, in fact, be depression and point them in the right direction to seek help."
The free, confidential screening is available through www.test4depression.com. The test indicates to participants the presence or absence of symptoms and offers referral for further assessment.
Help us face depression and reduce the devastating consequences it can bring to our community. Take the test on Oct. 6 and recommend your friends, family and staff to do the same.
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