The community initiative on depression: report from a multiphase work site depression intervention.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to further understand depression, a common, disabling condition with considerable ramifications for the workplace, including higher costs, absenteeism, and reduced work performance.


METHODS
A multidisciplinary health care coalition recently implemented a multiphase workplace depression initiative in Kansas City. We report results from its first phase, a 22-item, self-administered survey of depression knowledge and attitudes among employees of 13 large, local work sites.


RESULTS
There were 6,399/38,945 respondents (16% response rate). Most respondents (>90%) appropriately recognized the signs and symptoms of depression. A minority (29%) would feel comfortable discussing depression with their supervisor. Sixty-two percent knew how to access company resources for depression care.


CONCLUSIONS
Employees were knowledgeable about depression but were less aware of employee-assistance programs for depression care. These findings support increased attempts to raise the awareness of depression and promote of help-seeking behavior in the workplace.


CONCLUSIONS
Depression is a prevalent illness with risk for many deleterious outcomes if under-recognized or undertreated. Depression is a leading cause of work-related disability worldwide. Most people with depression are employed (an estimated 68%). Recognizing and initiating depression care in the workplace will facilitate depression treatment in clinical settings.
Charbonneau
Andrea
A
Division of General and Geriatric Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA. acharbonneau@kumc.edu
Bruning
William
W
Titus-Howard
Teresa
T
Ellerbeck
Edward
E
Whittle
Jeff
J
Hall
Sandra
S
Campbell
Jan
J
Lewis
Susan Crain
SC
Munro
Stuart
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D003256:Community Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*