Factors to support anti-depression strategies in small and medium sized offices

Abstract

The number of suicides caused by depression is increasing, but effective strategies to combat depression are insufficient. Recognition of depression was studied in small-scale business offices to help develop worksite anti-depression strategies.
【Subject】Subjects were small and medium sized business offices with 100 or less employees, joining local chambers of commerce within the area of a public health center in one prefecture.
【Method】The survey was conducted in August 2008. Seven-hundred offices were asked to reply and 320 offices responded.
【Results】Responses from 311 offices were used to compare the recognition of depression between worksites with <50 employees and >50 employees. In industry type, manufacturing accounted for the highest percentage at 39.6%, followed by construction at 16.9%, service business at 12.5%, and transportation at 8.3%. Factors that could increase stress and lead to depression included "reduced communication" in 63.9%, "increase in business difficulty or responsibility" in 52.7%, and "increase in work and quota" in 30.0%, all of which significantly influenced worksite environments. Strategies to manage mental health (depression) in these offices revealed that employees often let the company know about the illness, but most offices were unable to deal with the problem due to the lack of specialists. It is essential to establish a system for the future that promotes early intervention by the collaboration of staff in public health centers and city healthcare centers.