Workplace Bullying Increases Depression Among Women
In the U.S. more than half of the country has experienced some type of depression. When we are in our daily routine, and consume our lives with many unwelcoming distractions, life is cumbersome, pushing us into a state of loneliness.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) study in 2015, more than 16 million Americans over the age of 18 had experienced depression within a 12-month period. Out of those 16 million, 8.5 percent of women and 4.7 percent of men endured various types of depression. Large numbers of U.S. citizens experience depression year to year, which often leads to a deeper depression or sometimes severe action such as suicide. But, what factors could be responsible for these episodes of darkness?
Of course, there are obvious reasons for someone to feel depressed in their life, such as; abuse, death, medications, family issues, genetics, work or illness. Although the past explanations for depression are common — workplace bullying and taunting pull people into depression and society ignores these numbers daily.
An article from Georgia State University, goes in detail about problems with minority women being bullied in the workplace. The study, performed in Atlanta, opens up on the research found from over 2100 individuals survey data responses on the National 2010 Health and Retirement Study. Research findings exposed workplace bullying and a lack of social support from co-workers for their African-American and women peers. Everything from slurs, being humiliated in front of co-workers to completing “busy” work, created stress and anxiety for these people.
Everyone has the right to work stress-free without feeling like an outsider at their job. If our work life is in disarray, then our companies should help us seek the proper education and support to help avoid a depressing state. In an article with the Huffington Post states that African-American women have the highest rates of depression but, have dangerously low rates of treatment for their problems — work or life issues.
Are situations of bullying in the workplace being taken seriously enough? According to the CDC, 7.6 percent of African-Americans sought treatment for depression compared to 13.6 percent of the general population in 2011. These numbers are clearly higher now, so where’s the disconnect?
One disconnect is clearly communication and organization in the work environment. Taking a closer look at these studies and making changes in your office’s culture is the first step to a healthier workplace.
Sincerely,
Fallon Davis
Managing Editor of The #MakeHealthPrimary Journal
