About this session
Depression can affect people in different ways. For some, it may show up as low energy, reduced motivation or difficulty concentrating.
For others, it may feel more like withdrawal, self-criticism, irritability or losing interest in things that normally matter. These experiences can make ordinary work tasks feel much harder than usual.
This session focuses on practical ways to manage difficult periods without expecting people to simply 'push through.' Participants learn to recognize their own changes in capacity, reduce unnecessary demands, break tasks into manageable actions and protect basic routines that support functioning.
The session also looks at thoughts, withdrawal and support. Participants practice responding to harsh self-judgment more realistically, reconnecting with useful activities and relationships and asking for practical help when needed.
The aim is not to treat depression in the workplace, but to provide supportive strategies for everyday functioning alongside appropriate professional care where needed.
What your people take away
- Recognize how low mood can affect energy, concentration, motivation and everyday work
- Adjust expectations and workload when capacity is lower than usual
- Use manageable actions to reduce withdrawal and rebuild momentum
- Respond more realistically to harsh self-criticism and hopeless thinking
- Build a support plan covering personal, workplace and professional resources
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- What each length covers, 30 minutes to full day
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What each length covers
30 minutes
30 Minutes — Key Points: Recognize What Has ChangedA focused 30-minute session on three key points from Recognize What Has Changed: notice changes in energy and motivation, notice changes in thinking and notice withdrawal and disconnection.
- Notice changes in energy and motivation
- Notice changes in thinking
- Notice withdrawal and disconnection
Covers 3 of 4 points in Recognize What Has Changed.
60 minutes
60 Minutes — Module 1: Recognize What Has ChangedParticipants identify how periods of low mood affect their energy, motivation, thinking and behavior and choose one early-warning sign they want to respond to sooner.
- Module 1: Recognize What Has Changed
- Live Q&A
Covers 1 of 4 parts: Recognize What Has Changed.
90 minutes
90 Minutes — Modules 1 and 2: Work With Reduced CapacityEverything in the 60-minute session, plus practical work on workload, task size, expectations and manageable action. Participants build a realistic approach for days when energy or concentration are lower.
- Module 1: Recognize What Has Changed
- Module 2: Work With Reduced Capacity
- Low-capacity workday planning exercise
- Live Q&A
Covers 2 of 4 parts: Recognize What Has Changed and Work With Reduced Capacity.
3 hours
Covers 3 of 4 parts: Recognize What Has Changed, Work With Reduced Capacity and Interrupt Withdrawal and Self-Criticism.
Full day
Full Day — Full Managing Depression WorkshopFull coverage of all four modules with functioning maps, manageable-action exercises, self-talk work and support planning. Participants leave with a practical 30-day plan for difficult periods.
- Module 1: Recognize What Has Changed
- Module 2: Work With Reduced Capacity
- Module 3: Interrupt Withdrawal and Self-Criticism
- Module 4: Build Support and Recovery
- Practical workplace scenarios
- 30-day personal support plan
- Live Q&A
Covers all 4 parts.
Also available as a 4-week or 8-week program, for change that lasts. Ask us about it.
What’s covered
Recognize What Has Changed
Every length- Notice changes in energy and motivationParticipants identify where low mood affects energy, initiative or the ability to begin tasks and compare this with their usual pattern.
- Notice changes in thinkingParticipants identify whether concentration, memory, decision-making or mental speed feel different during difficult periods.
- Notice withdrawal and disconnectionParticipants identify where they are avoiding conversations, meetings, activities or relationships that would normally be manageable.
- Build your early-warning listParticipants combine changes in mood, energy, thinking, sleep, behavior and connection into a short personal early-warning list.
Work With Reduced Capacity
90 minutes and longer- Build a minimum viable workdayParticipants identify what genuinely needs to happen on a low-capacity day and what can be postponed, simplified or delegated.
- Make the next action smallerParticipants break tasks into visible next steps such as opening the document, writing one paragraph or sending one message.
- Reduce unnecessary decisionsParticipants identify recurring decisions that can be simplified through routines, preparation or clearer priorities.
- Make capacity visible when neededParticipants practice identifying what practical workplace adjustment would help, such as clearer priorities, additional time, temporary flexibility or reduced competing demands.
Interrupt Withdrawal and Self-Criticism
3 hours and longer- Use action before motivation when helpfulParticipants identify activities they value but have stopped doing because motivation is low and choose one small re-entry step.
- Keep self-judgment specificParticipants identify global conclusions such as 'I'm useless' or 'I can't cope' and replace them with the specific difficulty the evidence supports.
- Build low-pressure connectionParticipants identify one person or relationship that usually provides support, perspective or companionship and choose a low-effort way to maintain contact.
- Notice when avoidance is making things harderParticipants identify tasks, messages or conversations that are becoming more difficult because they are repeatedly postponed.
Build Support and Recovery
Full day only- Map different kinds of supportParticipants identify who can provide practical help, workplace decisions, emotional support or professional care and distinguish these roles clearly.
- Protect the basicsParticipants identify simple routines that support functioning during difficult periods, such as regular meals, hydration, movement, daylight, sleep opportunity or medication routines where prescribed.
- Know when self-management is not enoughParticipants identify persistent or worsening changes in mood, functioning, sleep, appetite, concentration or everyday life that suggest additional professional or medical support may be appropriate rather than relying only on workplace strategies.
- Create your early-action planParticipants combine their warning signs, minimum workday, re-engagement steps, recovery habits and support routes into one personal plan.
How booking works
- Book online. Create a free Workbliss profile, then pay with session credits, by card or by invoice.
- Pick a date. Choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or book now and set the date later.
- Choose your expert. Within 3 working days, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date.
- We deliver it. Your expert is briefed on your people and goals, then runs the session live online or at your site.
Questions about Managing Depression
How long is Managing Depression?
Managing Depression runs as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 3 hours or full day. You choose the length when you book. A 30-minute session covers three key points from Recognize What Has Changed: notice changes in energy and motivation, notice changes in thinking and notice withdrawal and disconnection. A 60-minute session covers Recognize What Has Changed in full, with a live Q&A. A 90-minute session adds Work With Reduced Capacity. A 3-hour session adds Interrupt Withdrawal and Self-Criticism. A full-day session adds Build Support and Recovery. It is also available as a 4-week or 8-week program.
Can Managing Depression be delivered online or in person?
Yes, both. It runs live online, so every office can join at the same time, or in person at your site, in any country.
How do we book Managing Depression?
Create a free Workbliss profile with your work email, then open Managing Depression to see the price for each length and book it. You can pay with session credits, by card or by invoice, and choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or set it later.
Who leads the session?
A vetted Workbliss expert, briefed on your people, culture and goals before the session. After you book, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date within 3 working days, so you can choose who leads it.
Can it be tailored to our company?
Yes. Every session is shaped around your goals, your people and the benefits you already offer, and delivered by experts in your people’s languages.