Episode Details

How do you deal with depression and anxiety when returning to work after working from home?

For many, going back to the workplace after months of shutdowns has stirred more than routine — it’s brought fear, exhaustion, and deep uncertainty. In this conversation, therapist Sa'Aire Salton shares what she sees in her clients: people who grew comfortable in their depression during isolation now struggling to readjust, and how anxiety about safety and change amplifies those struggles.

We discuss why depression can feel “normal” after long periods of isolation, how to spot the warning signs when someone is slipping deeper, and what both peers and employers can do to help support mental health during this transition.

If you’ve wondered how to balance living with depression, anxiety, and the pressure of returning to work, this episode offers compassion, tools, and hope.

Link to article on employee health: https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/employee-mental-health

Link to article on depression symptoms: https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/detecting-depression#1

Primary Topics Covered:

• Why the return to work feels overwhelming for many with depression and anxiety
• How isolation made depression feel “normal” for some people
• The double impact of anxiety + depression when facing workplace change
• Stigma, fear, and why asking for help is still so hard
• Signs to look for in yourself or others that depression is worsening
• Simple ways to reach out and check on someone without judgment
• How friends, family, and coworkers can provide support
• The role of employers in creating a mentally healthy return-to-work culture
• Why peer connection and honesty reduce stigma and increase healing

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro — Setting the stage: strange and uncertain times
 01:12 The challenge of reopening and uncertainty around safety
 02:08 APA report: mental health risks in returning to work
 03:00 Guest introduction: Sa'Aire Salton, therapist and consultant
 03:45 How isolation made depression feel “comfortable” for many
 05:18 Anxiety and fear about COVID-19 amplifying depression
 06:40 Complacency and why it’s so hard to seek treatment
 08:00 The role of friends, family, and coworkers in helping people return
 09:42 Signs and symptoms of depression to look for in ourselves and others
 10:23 How to reach out: compassionate, non-judgmental conversations
 12:09 Gentle invitations: walks, calls, shared activities to reconnect
 12:46 The role of employers in supporting emotional health at work
 14:17 Reducing stigma by normalizing post-pandemic struggles
 15:44 Why everyone deserves mental health support after trauma
 16:46 The importance of reaching in when someone can’t reach out
 18:00 Closing reflections: kindness, compassion, and connection

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