Dealing with depression

A survey of more than 17,000 Australian workers has found that large numbers have symptoms of work-related depression, and many are turning to alcohol and drugs to deal with their stress, rather than talking to managers about problems. The study, by the Australian national depression initiative, Beyond Blue, urges employers to communicate more with their people and make them feel valued.

James Brown, editor of Melcrum's Source for Communicators, offers 5 tips to help you:

1. Acknowledge weaknesses, but play to people's strengths.

2. When people do something well, acknowledge it immediately.

3. Encourage staff to recognize their own achievements and then go public. Make sure employees don’t feel embarrassed about coming forward to say they've achieved something significant.

4. Help people identify and capitalize on their strengths. Shape their job around their skills.

5. Create small victories. "Small wins" encourage people not to be daunted by big tasks.

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