You know better than most in Minnesota just how debilitating depression can be. One of the more common therapies recommended for such a condition can be to focus on those things in your life that bring you happiness and make you feel needed.
For many, that is their career. Yet what if your career is the source of the stress and anxiety contributing to your depression?
Sources of stress at work
Many may view the work environment as essentially being a safe haven where you can go and interact with like-minded professionals who share many of the same interests. There are, however, a number of inherent stresses associated with the workplace that can easily contribute to depression:
- Feeling overburdened
- Being pressured to meet tight deadlines
- Having to manage different (and sometimes difficult) personalities
The workplace is also not immune to the same stresses you might encounter in other social scenarios, such as bullying or sexual harassment. You can also experience depression if you need to take time away to deal with a work-related illness or injury.
Workers’ compensation benefits for depression
If your job is indeed causing you debilitating depression, the question then becomes whether such a condition qualifies you for workers’ compensation benefits. The answer depends on linking your stress to your career.
If your stress arises as a result of another work-related condition, then proving the link between the two may be relatively simply. It becomes more difficult when your prevailing condition is depression.
In such a case, you typically need to provide clinical documentation from your doctor, counselor or therapist testifying to their belief that it is indeed your work that is the cause. A state case worker typically must then confirm that the circumstances of your case make your claims reasonable.
You may be surprised to discover that your employer may be more than willing to help you. The faster you receive treatment, the quicker you can resume your work. Indeed, information shared by EHS Today shows that depression-related issues cost employers as much as $51 billion annually.
