{"id":56605,"date":"2018-04-04T15:58:09","date_gmt":"2018-04-04T19:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellvyl.com\/?p=56605"},"modified":"2018-04-04T15:58:09","modified_gmt":"2018-04-04T19:58:09","slug":"empathy-workplace-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellvyl.com\/media\/empathy-workplace-depression\/","title":{"rendered":"EMPATHY IN OUR WORK WORLDS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you see the SNL\u00a0 episode where Will Ferrell and cast members reenact a dinner scene that hits too close to home? \u00a0The <\/span>SNL \u2018dinner discussion\u2019 skit<\/span><\/a> portrays guests who are afraid to engage in a true dialogue of difference and opinion. While the skit is pretty hilarious, it also points out a growing issue in our society: we\u00a0are losing the ability to talk about hard shit with one another<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span>A byproduct of this loss? We are developing an inability to cultivate empathy for others. We see the effects of this in our daily lives and specifically our workplace.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Derived from Greek, empathy<\/em> means\u00a0 \u2018in feelings\u2019.\u00a0 It is what we use to describe the ability to share and understand feelings with others. \u00a0Empathy creates community, it says to someone \u201cI see you and I am here\u201d. We should all naturally exude empathy, right? I mean think about it, we\u2019ve all been through some really tough \u2018ish in our lives. To be human is to consistently meet challenges. When we show empathy to others we meet them with grace, love, and understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Grace, love and understanding is summed up in two letters in the work world; HR (or the human resources department). Having a rough time or going through a personal matter? HR is the direction management immediately sends us in times of distress. Now let me be clear, I am a huge fan of HR it is where you can finds some of the most caring individuals and the heartbeat of companies yet I can\u2019t help but feel we\u2019re taking a human connection out of the workplace.\u00a0 Managers write referral emails almost as doctors would prescribe prescriptions.\u00a0 Colleagues speak in hushed tones and side glances hoping “the situation” will go away instead of offering support through connection and empathy. I’m not saying professional help isn’t good, I would say many times it’s necessary! But it’s equally as important to feel supported by the team of humans that you interact with on a daily basis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The lack of support and feeling of isolation can foster unhealthy mindsets and even awaken the disease of depression in some. <\/span>According to <\/span>Mental Health America<\/span><\/a>, depression is one of the top three issues in the workplace but more than often employees don\u2019t seek treatment for fear of the effects it will have on their job and concerns about confidentiality.\u00a0<\/span>Depression has always held a stigma (especially with <\/span>communities of color<\/span><\/a>). \u00a0This disease is ignorantly seen as weakness and something to be solved in isolation. \u00a0The reality is <\/span>16.1 million Americans<\/span><\/a> suffer with depression daily. \u00a0So why the silence? This is a question that we\u2019re starting to hear people speak their truths and bring the need to address this to light.\u00a0Lately, we have seen a trend of celebrities step into speaking this truth and it’s been catching, most recently on the basketball court.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Athletic Empathy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Take Toronto Raptor Basketball player, DeMar DeRozan who recently shared his struggle with the world via <\/span>twitter<\/span><\/a>. Soon after his comment, his fellow athletes followed suit. \u00a0Kevin Love (Cavaliers) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (Wizards) also opened up about their struggles with depression and anxiety. When DeRozan spoke out his bravery gave others support to do the same. \u00a0When Love and Oubre spoke out they began to de-stigmatize. There is strength in numbers. <\/span><\/p>\n

Improving Empathy in our Workplace<\/strong><\/h2>\n

How do we replicate this empathy and openness to address depression in our own workplaces?\u00a0 System wide empathy and support with depression will take time.\u00a0 We must\u00a0 analyze and update cultural patterns and policies in a real way (not some BS checklist created for complacency).\u00a0 Charged to Human Resources, this is complicated and possibly time-consuming but necessary for long-term change.\u00a0\u00a0(Note: If you feel like these sentiments are ‘in left field’\u00a0 where you work<\/em><\/span>\u00a0to inquire about the work your HR is doing.)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

So what do we do as this work is underway?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the meantime, let\u2019s begin to offer our colleagues and friends the necessary empathy and space to evolve. Instead of asking your \u2018work wife\/hubby\u2019 about the latest gossip on the new exec, try asking them how they are doing. \u00a0Was there a dreaded meeting that colleagues are still recovering from? How about an impromptu Happy Hour or lunch outside the office space?\u00a0\u00a0We must begin to look deeper into each other. \u00a0Then we will be able to truly connect and build together. \u00a0Not only being able to talk about the hard ish that exists, but also making ourselves open to the vulnerability it takes to step into our work worlds with all of our human selves.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Be brave and speak up and begin to normalize feelings of depression and isolation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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