As the weather changes, for some, so do our moods. As employers continue to focus on mental health, they may need to adjust their benefits to support these seasonal shifts.
Roughly 10 million Americans are affected by seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression triggered by the change in seasons, according to the National Mental Health Association. Yet employers are often the ones left in the dark around ways to provide support.
"It's common for us to see [more employees suffer] during certain times of the year," says Amy Mosher, chief people officer at HR platform isolved. "And you can certainly see a trend when millions of employees are taking time off during the
On average, organizations lose $300 billion annually due to mental health-related issues affecting the workplace, according to the American Institute of Stress. But that may not take into account the effects of SAD, which is often misdiagnosed or not treated correctly, since symptoms are indistinguishable from long-term mental health conditions.
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Seasonal affective disorders share many — if not all — of the same symptoms of chronic anxiety and depression: lethargy, irritability, loss of interest, mood swings or sadness. The only difference is that these symptoms are not permanent, often cycling in and out of an employees' life. This could make it harder for an employee to ask for help.
"There are things around how your brain functions and produces serotonin that make people [biologically] more vulnerable," says Paula Allen, global leader of research and total well-being at LifeWorks, a human resources services and technology company. "Those who are affected by the change of season may need a healthcare professional to help you deal with it."
Employers should be aware of changes in habits and moods, especially around high-stress times like the holidays, Mosher says. Spotting these warning signs can give an employer a signal an employee is going through a difficult time.
"The quality of work can decrease or employees may suddenly need to be out at different times without notice, especially during a very busy time," Mosher says. "Individuals might lash out at their coworkers and are less flexible in how they're completing their work or how they're communicating. You also just see a lack of interaction —people pull back and they're not on chat as much."
But the largest issue is that employees themselves may not recognize these mood swings or changes — or know that they're treatable. Communication on both sides will ensure that employees are utilizing any benefits an employer is offering.
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"We know that organizations
Another actionable difference employers can make during this time of year is to restate their
"Around the September timeframe, I actually send an email out every year to my employees to say you need to take time off, that's why it's there," Mosher says. "But one thing doesn't always work for everyone."
While employers may feel like they'd be overstepping in suggesting an employee is struggling with SAD, Mosher explains that sometimes hearing it from managers or leaders is the best thing for employees who may be struggling to identify their own feelings.
"Whenever I talk to leaders and they ask what's going on with this employee, I say 'Have you talked to them about it?'" Mosher says. "Have you been honest with them and said, 'Hey, I've noticed a decline in your work. What's going on? How can I help you?' Just that conversation, those exact words really go a long way."
