According to the Collins English dictionary, the word "depressed" means "low in spirits". If you feel that your workforce is on this mode, maybe it's time to look for help. Organisations like the SA Depression & Anxiety Group could be the place you're looking for.
Depression can result from trauma, which can lead to post-traumatic disorder. Major symptoms are reliving the event; avoiding situations that are a reminder; feeling numb; and feeling keyed up or always on the lookout for danger.
WHAT IT MEANS
 Not all who go through a traumatic situation end up with the disorder
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The saddest part - says Arlene Kleinhans of the Mental Health Information Centre (MHIC) at Stellenbosch University - is that people with mental illnesses are generally marginalised and even ridiculed. This makes it more difficult for them to get help in time.
But, isn't it almost ironic that even those who deride mental illness patients may be on the same list (of people needing assistance)? MHIC will use the World Mental Health Day in October to highlight these issues and create more awareness.
"Many people don't know they have anxiety disorders or depression. That means that they remain undiagnosed," says Kleinhans, who is a director at MHIC.
"Without treatment, people tend to turn to alcohol abuse and can be suicidal in extreme instances."
The World Health Organisation describes depression as a common mental disorder. This condition is characterised by sadness, loss of interest, feelings of guilt or low self-esteem and disturbed sleep or appetite. Fatigue and poor concentration span also feature prominently.
With this in mind, Kleinhans says that employers should take mental illness more seriously. Neglecting it could see a fall in productivity.
"A great amount of time and funds need to be invested in this area. It's been neglected for too long mainly due to ignorance and lack of resources. What exacerbates the problem at times is that some general practitioners don't know the difference between the five different types of disorders," she says.
The five different types of anxiety disorders are panic attacks, general disorder, social disorder, post-traumatic disorder as well as obsessive compulsive disorder.
However, depression is more common than anxiety disorders.
Global prevalence is very high - it is estimated at 10%-15%. SA figures will be released in October.
Causes are biological and psychological. The latter can be induced by trauma as a result of a loss of a loved one, crime, lost income or other psychological factors.
"There's definitely a correlation between poverty and these disorders. Poor countries are more susceptible to depression. But weather also plays a role, which is why the Scandinavian countries are reporting such high levels," says Kleinhans. And her advice for the corporate market and employers at large?
"You need to take mental health very seriously. With lower energy levels and sleeplessness, staff can't be productive at optimal levels. It's about time employers started understanding the concept of mental illness and became more helpful."
