Diana Doko: "Talking about depression saves lives"
Diana Doko has made it her mission to educate the public about depression and suicide with her association "Friends for Life". In this interview, she talks about non-violent communication in a team and how we can recognize when a colleague is falling into depression.
Your association "Freunde fürs Leben e.V." provides information about suicide and depression.
Your motto is: Talk about it! Why are you taking on this topic?
Diana Doko: When we - Diana Doko and Gerald Schömbs - founded the association in 2001, the suicide figures were significantly higher than they are today. They have since stagnated at a relatively constant level.
Every year, more than 9,000 people still take their own lives in Germany - including around 500 teenagers and young adults. We are therefore calling for mental illness to be put on the health policy agenda and for it to be communicated that we as a society must finally talk more openly about depression and suicide - this can save lives.
When you think of depression, you don't necessarily think of young people. What are the causes of depression in young people?
Diana Doko: Depression in young people can have many different causes, which can interact to trigger the illness. Loneliness, hopelessness, a lack of social support and a lack of conflict resolution strategies can all contribute to the development of depression.
Risk factors that can contribute to the development of depression, particularly in adolescents, are negative and unstable family relationships, which can often be accompanied by traumatic events - for example physical or emotional abuse or the loss of a caregiver.
Bullying at school or among friends can also play a role. Low self-esteem or a genetic predisposition, i.e. if parents are also affected by mental illness, can also increase the risk of adolescents developing depression. Young people who are affected by a serious, chronic physical illness or a mental illness such as an eating disorder, borderline personality disorder or addiction are also at risk.
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To the data protection settings "We spend most of our time at work. In your opinion, what responsibility do employers have when it comes to the mental health of their employees?
Diana Doko: Above all, employers have a responsibility to ensure fair working conditions: fair pay and fair working hours, for example. Occupational factors such as a high workload and time and deadline pressure contribute to mental stress.
In addition, employers should create a working environment in which non-violent, respectful communication prevails and employees are encouraged to communicate their needs.
How can I tell if a colleague is suffering from depression?
Diana Doko: Depression can manifest itself in different ways in people. Common signs of depression include, for example, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, as well as a lack of self-esteem - symptoms that can have an impact in the work context and cause the person affected to work less efficiently than usual. Colleagues frequently calling in sick or complaining of physical symptoms such as exhaustion, headaches or sleep disorders can also be signs of depression.
How do I approach the person I think is depressed?
Diana Doko: When there are signs of a depressive episode, it is important to listen and approach the person concerned with understanding. Especially in a work context, it can be difficult to broach the subject, as the person concerned may quickly feel attacked and their way of working criticized. By showing interest in the person's concerns and stresses and signaling that you are not judging them, you can create a basis for a trusting conversation. However, the person concerned may simply not want to discuss personal problems with colleagues - this should also be respected and they should not be pressured into opening up.
As a colleague or employer, it is therefore particularly important to encourage the person to communicate their needs and offer support and relief if necessary, without giving them the feeling that they are less valued.
If you are interested in the topic, you can also listen to the "Work Edition" episodes of our podcast Kopfsalat: As part of the Work Edition, we spoke to various experts on the topic of "Mental stress in the workplace".
Listen, encourage, show understanding: What can I do myself to create appreciative communication in my team?
Diana Doko: In general, teams should try to communicate without violence: This is an effective method of addressing difficult issues. The basic rule for non-violent communication is that team members should always try to convey their point of view in a non-judgemental way and formulate their needs in first-person messages instead of responding to their counterpart with accusations. So rather: "It would be important to me that we start the meeting on time, because otherwise it will cause stress", instead of: "You're always late!".
Using such methods as a guide can help to improve communication within the team. Many companies are now taking advantage of offers such as team workshops for further training in non-violent communication - this can be very useful in order to move closer together as a team.
How can I recognize depression?
The main symptoms of depression are:
- depressed mood, deep sadness and dejection
- Loss of interest and joylessness
- Lack of drive and joylessness
- Lack of energy, often after small efforts
If at least two main symptoms occur simultaneously and continuously for more than two weeks, you should seek help.
How can I protect myself from depression?
- Maintain a healthy routine: Eat well, get enough sleep and exercise regularly.
- Take part in activities and hobbies that interest you - even if it's difficult some days.
- Get help if you suspect you are depressed.
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