Programs | Depression Interventions

Health-related programs for depression^1-2

Employee programs refer to activities that include active employee involvement, such as classes, seminars or competitions. Employee programs are frequently provided on-site at the workplace.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can offer information and referral services for employees with symptoms of depression

• Active EAPs are one of the most effective ways to support employees with depression or other mental health problems, by offering counseling and referral services.
• Optimal EAP programs are well integrated into the workplace; provide ongoing programming to engage current and future clients; offer customized services based upon the needs of the specific workplace and workers; and are responsive to acute and emerging workforce events, stressors, and changes
• It is important to recognize that EAP programs, because they are generally contracted benefits outside of the organization, are often not able to address workplace issues that impact mental or physical health that relate to the work environment or organizational practice

Worksite health promotion programs such as physical activity are good adjunct therapies in preventing and treating depression

• Employees who participate in physical activity programs can decrease depression symptoms and sometimes avoid mild depressive episodes
• The health-related program strategies and interventions listed for physical activity include lifestyle activities recommended to address depression.

Raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of depression among managers and employees through training

• Managers and employees who are able to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression such as tardiness, complaints of fatigue, reduction in work output or quality, safety problems or accidents, and changes in attitude may help in the early identification and referral to screening and treatment services for affected employees

Employee engagement/climate surveys can also provide information about relationships in the workplace and highlight areas where improvements can be made

• Surveys can be used to ascertain information about relationships among coworkers (e.g., conflicts); job demands such as time pressures or physical demands; and assess the level of support provided by supervisors and colleagues which may contribute to the mental health of workers and be used to develop training, communications, or other interventions to address mental health in the workplace