Shocking Revelation! Confessions of Workplace Depression Among Kenyan Employees

By Elizabeth Benu,

I had been an ardent fan of Robin Williams but when I learnt he had committed suicide; linked to depression, I realized that things are not what they seem. As a person who enjoys comedy I wonder why a comedian would be depressed and make others happy.

In the Sunday nation (17th August 2014) comedians were linked to unusual experiences, which may include an avoidance of intimacy by being secluded when they are off the stage; and lastly, while they may appear outgoing, comedians depict patterns antisocial behaviour such as being withdrawn when they are off stage.

“Dr Ofweneke, Mc Jesse, Chipukeezy and Eric Omondi displayed one or more characters described in the study. Schizophrenic psychosis increases people’s ability to associate odd or unusual things, see humor by thinking “outside the box’,” read the newspaper.

It is not only in comedy where one can get depression; any work place is a breeding ground for depression.

Constance Akinyi*, a sales executive at a private media firm, talks of her depression period when she started out her career, “6 years ago when I was depressed I did not even know I needed medical attention until my friends took me to hospital. I often felt fatigued and getting out of bed was a problem. At work I got irritated easily and turned up late. To top it up I developed a drinking habit.

“With depression you do not see the symptoms. I had two kids to fend for and I was stressed about my job security and whether the salary would be enough for us. I withdrew from family and did not take care of myself or my kids but I felt fine,” she adds.

Constance is an example of people who suffer workplace depression. Perhaps your job search is endless and fruitless, you get no job satisfaction from your work or your job has unclear expectations; the aforementioned are some of the reasons one could get workplace depression.

“I was fearful that depression would see me lose my job or steer away any promotions. I was lucky that my friends took me to a practitioner who helped me accept the fact that I had a mental illness that needed to be done away with”

She advices the employed who may feel depressed to seek necessary advice

“Some companies offer counseling programmes to their employees but if you are not comfortable seek outside help such as your personal doctor. Do not stop working but do the simple duties at work. Doing nothing only complicates your negative feelings about yourself and increases your depression level,” she advices.

Constance also adds that, “Suicide is not a solution and be sure to surround yourself with positivity and happy activities. Enjoy time with family and friends and lay off the stress a bit. For job seekers there is always something for everyone and for the employees talk to your boss if something is not clear to avoid suffering in silence.”

Do not let depression eat into great talent, take charge and enjoy your career life.

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