CIPD urges managers to 'spot signs of depression'

Depression Awareness Week has been welcomed by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) as an opportunity to raise the profile of mental ill health in the workplace.

The awareness week is running from April 21st to April 26th, highlighting that managers of those in all professions, from accountancy jobs to marketing recruitment, need to watch out for the signs of illness.

Ben Wilmott, CIPD's employee relations advisor, said that such awareness was important so that "they can take action early and provide support before the individual's condition deteriorates to the point they go off on long-term sick leave".

"One of the problems is that - in too many cases - individuals hide from their employer that they are suffering from mental health problems because they are concerned about their job security or their career prospects," he added.

"This is counter-productive because it increases the likelihood that their condition will deteriorate to the point they have to take a long period off work or leave employment altogether."

According to NHS Direct, women are twice more likely to suffer from depression than men.