Depression is estimated to affect nearly 1 in 6 people across the UK. And while depression can reach anyone and everyone, it’s especially prominent amongst women — as they’re 2x more likely to experience it compared to men. Depression rates are especially high during the winter months with nearly 2 million people experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). That number jumps to over 12 million across northern Europe alone. That’s why, especially at this time of year, employers need to keep an eye out on their employees for warning signs of depression. Depression in the workplace Depression, along with stress and anxiety (which are often paired together), was the main culprit of absenteeism, accounting for 17 million working days lost between 2021-2022 in the UK. Reports also show that over the past two years, 35% of employees took time off for their mental wellbeing — yet 45% are still hesitant to be truthful with their employers about taking time off for mental health. With the added stress of SAD, the rush of the holiday season and the pressure of reaching Q4 goals, the chances of your employees developing depression are much higher. So what are the signs to keep an eye out for? Signs of depression in the workplace1. Higher absenteeismDepression doesn't just manifest in emotional and behavioural changes — it can also take a toll on an individual's physical health. Employees experiencing depression may also complain of persistent headaches, unexplained aches and pains, or changes in their sleep patterns and abilities to focus. You might also notice these symptoms result in higher absenteeism for an individual —and this is a warning sign of deeper mental health struggles. 2. Missed deadlinesIf that employee who’s always quick to respond and on time with their deliverables suddenly starts falling behind, this is another common sign of depression or poor mental health.With lost concentration, physical discomfort and tiredness, it’s easy for employees to miss details, make mistakes, lose track of time and not perform at their best.3. Withdrawing from social activities or events Workplaces are often hubs of social interaction, and any changes in an individual who is often active in participating can signal emotional distress. It’s also important to look out for individuals who never attend social events and always withdraw themselves from social interactions to begin with. This could be a greater sign that someone doesn’t feel welcome or engaged, and could signal deeper more chronic cases of anxiety and depression. Always be sure to keep an eye out for who attends social events and check in whenever you think someone might need support. 4. Behaviour changes and irritability One of the first indicators of depression in the workplace is noticeable changes in an employee's behaviour.While everyone has their off days, persistent irritability and erratic behaviour changes over time could be cause for concern. Employees who once actively participated in team discussions may suddenly become disengaged, and those who were punctual may start consistently arriving late.5. Consistently turning off their camera It’s especially difficult to spot signs of depression and mental distress in remote settings. That’s why if you notice a team member frequently turning their camera off, never showing their face, not speaking and participating very little in the chats of Zoom meetings, it could be a good sign to check-in. While this may not always be a sign of depression, it could be indicative of social withdrawal. It could signify overworking, sleeping less and not taking care of their hygiene enough to be comfortable on camera — all of which together can lead to habits that lead to depression down the line. 6. Lack of use in health and EAP support If you’re noticing a decline in the use of EAP support or benefits across your team, this can be another sign that their mental health is taking a back seat. And this is where measuring employee data comes in handy. With our benefits app at YuLife, we offer HR leaders a detailed dashboard and our newly launched YuScore of their team’s wellbeing data, as well as quarterly reports, to see participation rates in their wellbeing benefits. There’s also a company-wide leaderboard that shows the physical activity of your team members and how they stack up to their peers.This way, you can see how much physical activity each employee is participating in, and can help guide you to see who might be falling behind to spot or prevent symptoms of depression. How to prevent depression in the workplace Recognising the signs of depression in the workplace is the first step. But there are some more steps you can take to prevent depression and create a supportive and compassionate work environment.1. Create a safe space that values vulnerability Creating a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health can encourage them to open up about their struggles and seek the help they need before things get serious — and this begins on the leadership level. When employees see their leaders talking about the importance of mental health, and sharing their experiences while actively creating mental health resources at work, people will begin to feel more comfortable, be more vulnerable and seek help before it worsens. One tactic shared by CEO and former Dragon on Dragons Den, Steven Bartlett, is to offer "opt-out" therapy instead of "opt-in". This means people have to actively pull themselves out of therapy, rather than take the extra step to sign up — and it goes an extra step to show your employees you care. 2. Listen carefully and always approach with empathy Remember that addressing depression is a collective effort that requires empathy, education, and a commitment to creating spaces where individuals feel safe enough to ask for help. It’s important to listen when people are expressing their struggles, but it’s just as vital to listen actively in conversations — both in professional settings and casual conversations. This way you can spot any employees who consistently make self-deprecating comments or express feelings of worthlessness. This can be another warning sign of depression or that someone’s in need of mental health support. 3. Diversify and offer personalised support services Not everyone responds to treatment the same. For example, men and women have been shown to respond to mental health treatments very differently.That’s why it’s important to personalise treatment options, offer various forms of mental wellbeing support and provide confidential services. This way, everyone feels comfortable and can find a solution that works for them.At YuLife, we’ve built a wellbeing benefits app that provides a series of different mental and physical health support services to help everyone and anyone practise wellbeing in a way that works for them. About YuLife.YuLife is working to reimagine the insurance industry by protecting lives, rewarding living and inspiring life. We’re on a mission to transform traditional insurance into a life-enhancing experience each employee will value and use daily. How does it work? Our award-winning app uses behavioural science and game mechanics to reward your people for living well while offering protection in case of crisis. And with our top-rated employee assistance programme, your team gets access to mental, financial and social support, virtual GPs, nutritionists, life coaches and more to help them live their best lives.Because we believe that your employees should benefit from their insurance from day one — and that wellbeing should be accessible every day, for everyone.Request a demo for your team today.