1400x400 date & placeOn 9th December, the European Brain Council- in collaboration with its partners, organized a conference entitled Lifting the Dark Clouds: What can Europe do to Reduce the Burden of Depression in the Workplace?’. The event was held at the Thon EU Hotel in Brussels, Belgium.

Depression has a substantial impact on the workforce in terms of presenteeism, sick leave and early retirement. One in 5 Europeans of working age has been diagnosed with depression at some point in their life, and one in 10 has taken time off from work because of depression. Ranked among the top 10 leading causes of disability, depression is estimated to cost European economies €92 lion each year.

The Lifting the Dark Clouds conference concluded the successful Year of the Brain bil2015 and  featured key European experts from the health and employment fields.

The objectives were to:

  • Generate awareness of the increasing burden and impact of brain diseases – especially the impact of depression in the workplace within Europe
  • Showcase best workplace practices to support employees with depression
  • Provide a forum to discuss how EU policy makers, patient organisations, health stakeholders and employers can work closer together to ensure parity between mental and physical health.

 Find the conversation on Twitter under  #YotB2015 hashtag.

Click here to see the Final Report of the conference.