Clinical depression likely to cost the most, in 20 yrs

In the next 20 years, clinical depression is expected to become the most expensive disease in healthcare budget in the industrialised part of the world.

However, most of the people are not willing to acknowledge that they are under stress or depression and are, therefore, not keen on taking professional help, according to industry representatives.

S Kalyanasundaram, director of clinical practice, PPC Worldwide, India, said, "Psychological problems are caused due to many factors like work overload, personal loss, illness, harassment at workplace, job changes, etc. The effects of such issues range from loss of motivation and irritability to tension with colleagues and absenteeism. It is important, therefore, to cope with pressure by adopting effective time management, relaxation techniques and so on."

Kalyanasundaram was speaking at a seminar organised by the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) on 'Relevance of psychological support in the knowledge-based industry'.

Kalyanasundaram added that on an overall basis one in seven-eight people suffer from clinical depression. In women, the ratio is higher as one among four women suffer from this problem.

"Depression is estimated to become the most expensive disease in industrialised countries in another 20 years. Today, it accounts for more than 10 per cent of absenteeism at workplace. However, only 15 per cent of the people suffering from depression get the right treatment," he said, adding that people are averse to accessing professional support because of stigma, myths about mental illness, lack of knowledge about the illness and issues concerning confidentiality.

"With growing shortage of skilled workforce that the knowledge-based industry is facing, it is becoming more challenging for companies to retain good workforce than acquire clients. Providing psychological support is one way of retaining employees," Seth Appel, director of training, OfficeTiger Database Systems India Private Limited, said, adding that, however, people need to acknowledge that a certain degree of stress is essential too.

According to a survey, more than 54 million Americans have a mental disorder in any given year but only around eight million seek treatment, Anna Oldman, chief operating officer, PPC Worldwide, India, said.

"Surveys undertaken in Western countries indicate that 85 per cent of employee termination is due to psychological problems and 20 per cent of the employees feel bullied at work. The fast-paced environment, time-critical schedules, fluctuating work patterns and job insecurity in the IT/ITeS industry in India make it imperative for India Inc to provide psychological support to its employees also," she added.