Depressed? Oh Dear!

The leading story in the Ottawa Citizen simply breaks one's heart. The writer describing a sad pathology of depression in the public service, representing a "public health crisis". This is Canada's public service cadre, no less. Where the pay schedule is extremely kindly to those whose positions a powerful set of unions virtually guarantee. Ample sick time, and holiday times. As for vacation time, why what more could possibly be asked for, it's beyond generous.

And then of course there is that immense perquisite, the gold-plated pension linked to the cost of living.

And these people are depressed. Living in a country which has seen a lower unemployment rate than elsewhere in the international community. There are indeed more than enough people living in the country who are among the unfortunate for whom depression is an explicable state of being. The low-waged, the unemployed, the unemployable, those on welfare, struggling to get by.

But the professionals are depressed. Somewhat, one might imagine, like the singularly unfortunate heir to a family fortune who has no pecuniary worries, but is so sanguine about life, so utterly bored with the meaningless of his existence that his boredom becomes a wedge between himself and life's invaluable continuance. But no, this misfortune impinges all areas of public service; "the country's nurses, teachers, police, military and bureaucrats at all levels of government".

To the extent, the articles goes on of "undermining innovation, productivity, quality of service, policy-making and even the relevance of our democratic institutions". So saith founder of Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Mental Health, Bill Wilkerson. Mr. Wilkerson, it seems to this casual observer, is desirous of bringing attention to his expert observations and as a corollary, to his remedial services....?

Contending that in all workplaces stress, burnout and depression is depressingly evident. So, do we Canadians just have it too good? Do we really need a brief stint - say about two or three years - working and struggling to get along in some Third World country? Are we that utterly spoiled that we need a yardstick for comparison to assure ourselves of precisely how fortunate we are as a society?

Requiring the reassurance that the stress of attending meetings, being distracted by details, having to meet deadlines, being insecure in our positions is worth the effort? The stress of expectations and competition in the workplace is simply too much for coddled Canadian workers? We're not sufficiently self-motivated? Sad, sad.