For many of us, these are the longest days of the year. The holidays are behind us, it's cold, it's dark, and spring is still too far off to fairly say it is only around the corner.

While nearly everyone tends to go through a degree of "winter blahs" at some point between November and April, two to three per cent of our population is vulnerable to a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, which is similar in many ways to depression.

While research and awareness of this condition is still somewhat limited, we do know that SAD is related to decreased sunlight during the winter months and that it generally affects adults in their 20s and 30s up until the mid-50s. Studies have also shown that SAD is up to eight times more common in women than men.

SAD not only affects an employee's work performance, it can also have a bearing on the work environment just as other types of depression can. In fact, it is estimated that workplace mental illness costs the Canadian economy $33 billion annually in lost productivity and absenteeism, and it is believed that SAD accounts for a portion of that amount.

Although symptoms vary with every sufferer, some of the most common indicators of SAD include:

• Fatigue and lethargy.
• Increased absenteeism.
• Sleep problems, including a tendency to oversleep and difficulty staying awake.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Social problems, including irritability, crying and disengagement from others.
• Feelings of anxiety, hopelessness and despair.
• Overeating and weight gain associated with cravings for sweet or starchy foods.
• Depression, including low self-esteem and apathy.

Employers and managers are by no means qualified to diagnose SAD, but it is important to be able to recognize the potential symptoms and know what to look for in an employee who may need to find help for this treatable condition.

Of course, being unqualified to make a diagnosis tends to make it especially difficult, even awkward, to intervene if there is problem at work. Yet, the worst thing a manager can do is turn a blind eye to the problem and hope it will just go away on its own. Instead:

• Speak to the employee in a sensitive, confidential and non-confrontational way. Tell them that you have noticed changes in their normal work patterns or performance, and that because you care for their well-being, you are concerned that something may be wrong.
• Be mindful of the fact that most people will not be willing to reveal their susceptibility to seasonal disorder because of embarrassment or out of fear of being labelled as one who suffers from mental illness.
• If they are willing to discuss any ongoing problems or feelings of despair, assist the employee in getting help through your employee assistance program or by speaking with a professional health counsellor.
• Educate yourself and your managers about the signs of seasonal affective disorder and other mental illnesses, as it is important to know how to recognize someone who may be in need of help. One place to start is the Canadian Mental Health Association: www.cmha.ca.
• Know your company's health policy on support and treatment for disorders such as SAD, and make sure this policy is known and accessible to employees.
• Be flexible about what the employee requires as part of their treatment. They may need to spend more time outdoors, use a therapeutic light box or rearrange their office furniture or space to give them greater access to natural light.
• Promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle for all employees. This can range from an education program on the benefits of increased physical activity and improved nutrition to greater time flexibility and incorporating periods of fresh air into the workday. Adding these measures can help all employees relieve stress, boost energy and lift spirits to create a happier, more productive workplace for all.

-- With reporting by Barbara Chabai

John McFerran, PhD, CMC, C. Psych., F. CHRP, is founder and president of People First HR Services Ltd. For more information, visit www.peoplefirsthr.com.

RESEARCH:

http://www.standardlife.ca/en/pdf/group_ins/newsletter/en_eap_feb2008.pdf
http://www.day-lights.com/light-therapy-news/downloads/terman-07.pdf
http://www.hrwebcafe.com/2007/01/snow_ice_and_the_winter_bluess_1.html