Autumn blues are widespread: in September, Russians bought antidepressants worth nearly 14 billion rubles, a four-year high. St. Petersburg leads in prescriptions, followed by Moscow. How does this impact business performance, and what measures are employers taking to support their staff?
Social media is flooded with «sad era» memes, as autumn blues affect not only young people but even Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who thoughtfully posts videos of himself in his office set to lyrical tracks. Sergey Ryzhikov, co-founder of «Bitrix24,» suggests a simple remedy for melancholy to his colleagues: clearing one`s information space. He emphasizes that people constantly exposed to news streams find it hard to disconnect, fearing they might miss something important. In employee meetings, Ryzhikov consistently urges them to «free their information field,» as living in such a news overload is unbearable, and depression is the least of what can happen.
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Companies are actively providing psychological support. For instance, cosmetic retailer «Zolotoye Yabloko» offers voluntary health insurance (DMS) with access to psychologist consultations, a common practice among many large enterprises. Natalia Leshina, HR Director at developer Glorax, believes additional initiatives are essential:
«We don`t have time for depression. We organize numerous events that help maintain and boost morale. We develop internal communities and offer various clubs – English, book clubs, board game enthusiasts. Sports activities are actively promoted: we support running, hold volleyball training, even go kayaking, and frequently do morning exercises. If colleagues don`t have time for sports outside the office, we provide that opportunity right at work.»
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Restaurateur Nikita Tataev believes employee comfort directly impacts business performance. He notes that support methods vary:
«In some establishments, directors organize breakfasts and team-building events for staff. In others, employees are invited to karaoke, where singing together helps relieve stress, unwind, and gain a fresh perspective on work. Top managers are now taking more frequent, shorter vacations to prevent burnout. Without such measures, it`s challenging to build a team, especially one that needs to provide positive emotions to guests; it`s nearly impossible with a bad mood.»
Employers might soon have a new tool to combat employee blues. In September, Japanese scientists announced the development of a stress vaccine. This medication, being tested as drops and injections, promises two months of tranquility after a single dose. It`s plausible that this innovative solution will soon be added to corporate vaccination schedules.
