The costly business of depression in the work place

According to a new government report caregivers, waiters and social workers have the highest rates of depression among full-time workers in the United States.

The report found that almost 11 percent of personal care workers, including those tending the elderly, disabled and children, reported being depressed for periods lasting two weeks or longer.

The second highest rate of depression among full-time employees aged 18 to 64 was found to be workers who prepare and serve food - waiters, cooks and bartenders - at 10.3 percent.

Third were health care and social workers at 9.6 percent.

The lowest rate of depression, 4.3 percent, occurred in the job category that covers engineers, architects and surveyors.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) judging from data from 2004 to 2006, seven percent of full-time workers had struggled with depression in the preceding year.

While women were more likely than men were to have had a major bout of depression, younger workers also had higher rates of depression than their older colleagues.

A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that companies in the U.S. lose up to $44 billion annually because of employee depression.

Depression was tracked in 21 major occupational categories which were broadly grouped and over 15,500 workers were surveyed.

A major depressive episode is defined as a period of two weeks or longer during which there is depressed mood or a loss of interest and pleasure, and at least four other symptoms, including problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration and self-image.

However among the unemployed the overall rate of depression is quite higher at 12.7 percent.

Experts say depression exacts a high price from workers and from their employers and depression screening, outreach and enhanced treatment can improve productivity, lower employer costs, and improve the quality of life for individuals and their families.