Depression: an obstacle to learning LO10913

Roxanne S. Abbas (75263.3305@CompuServe.COM)
08 Nov 96 18:56:39 EST

I am seeking information, insight and opinion on a phenomenon that I have
been observing in my community over the past many months. This is my
perception of a significant increase in serious depression among persons
of all ages. My observation has been affirmed by colleagues in varied
workplace environments, by educators (including pre-school teachers who
are trying to cope with serious depression in 3 -4 year olds), mental
health professionals and most recently, my own minister. He told me that
about 1/3 of our members are living with depression (some chronic;some
temporary) at this time.

First, I would like to know if any of you has any data on the actual
trends in cases of depression. Then, if my perception has validity, what
is the cause(s). And if the employees in our organizations are coming to
work depressed or dealing with serious depression of a spouse or a child,
how can we expect them to be fully present and productive workers? To
what extent is it the workplace itself or the increased stress and rate of
change in the workplace that is causing or contributing to the depression?
Or perhaps there really isn't an increased incidence, but people are
simply more open to talking about it today. Or maybe this is only
occurring in the western suburbs of Minneapolis and mostly among
Presbyterians. What do you think? Or better yet, what do you know?

Roxanne Abbas

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Roxanne Abbas
Abbas Compensation Strategies
55263.3305@compuserve.com
 


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