[Occupational health and early detection of depression].

ABSTRACT

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is planning to conduct a stress check for employees, using the opportunity of the periodical health check. In this paper, the author summarizes some problems with the plan, and refers to the meaning of detecting mental disorders in the workplace. Just like psychiatric treatment and other mental health activities, occupational mental health should be discussed from the historical point of view, excluding shortsighted judgment and improvised measures.