For women, unique sources of stress arise both on and off the job. The observed preponderance of women diagnosed with depressive disorders together with the increasing number of women in the corporate workplace may force greater attention to depressive disorders. Alcoholism was a major concern for business in the past. Because more women are now in the work force, depression has become a major health concern. Fortunately, treatment is available.
Depression has the virtue of being the most treatable mental illness.
Employers need to give the same attention to depression they have given to chemical dependency. Some employers fear that if they have more complete mental health benefits, more people will seek treatment and costs will increase. Can Do Managers are not therapists. However, they can make the entire workplace more sensitive and supportive by helping all parties involved recognize that depression is an illness and not a character flaw. Don't moralize, offer any diagnosis, or even introduce the idea of illness.