mental health stigma at work

Mental health stigma at work: discover how to tackle it

The mental health stigma at work is, in a nutshell, the idea that mental health problems should be hidden in the work environment. This widely held belief is a huge challenge that many employees face every day, in disguise, when they go to work or look for a job. 

In addition, the mental health stigma at work is a problem for organizations since it is an indicator of a bad working environment. In this sense, it implies that the company does not trust the abilities of an employee because they have a serious mental health problem, without specifying or contextualizing further. The employee, on the other hand, does not perceive the company as a safe space where they can openly express they have a health problem, regardless of the influence that such a problem may or may not have on their performance.

It is clear that, at the very least, the mental health stigma at work is the cause of serious corporate dysfunctions that end up affecting the last link in the chain: the company’s results and success. 

The mental health stigma at work

1. Talking about my diagnosis at work

To refer to the mental health stigma at work we can do so in at least two ways. On the one hand, there are those people who suffer from a serious mental disorder, usually chronic (which can be treated but not cured), prior to their work situation. This is the case, for example, of people suffering from some form of schizophrenia, personality disorder, or bipolar disorder, among others. It may also be the case for those who have suffered it in the past (e.g., a major depressive episode that has already passed). 

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Even when these situations are properly diagnosed and treated, so that the person’s mental health is restored, is the current or future company a safe and trustworthy place to talk openly about it? 

Normally it is not, and neither are other areas outside the workplace: mental disorders are usually accompanied by a great social stigma, so the company is no stranger to this phenomenon. This leads them to be very strictly silenced when it comes to work, especially if a selection or promotion process is at stake. 

mental health stigma at work

2. Having mental health problems due to the job

On the other hand, the mental health stigma at work alludes to the fact that the negative influence that the work environment has on our mental health is silenced: it is not good to say that our mental health suffers because of problems directly related to work, as we perceive that this detracts from our professionalism. 

Therefore, classic problems such as anxiety, stress, profound demotivation, isolation, lack of recognition, or the consequences of harassment at work – circumstances that can cause enormous damage to our psychological well-being – are part of everything that must not be admitted if we want to thrive in the company. 

Why is there a mental health stigma at work and how can we tackle it?

1. Vulnerability: an uncomfortable truth

There is a belief that a good employee is someone who has no vulnerabilities. That is to say, they can take whatever is thrown at them; there are no weak points where work can affect them. Regardless of their circumstances inside and outside of work, they are someone who does not succumb to fatigue, demotivation, excessive schedules, poorly shared responsibilities, pressure, multitasking, external demands, a competitive environment, threats, lack of recognition… 

Nothing affects them. Therefore, a good employee does not go through rough patches, does not suffer crises or worries, is always clear-headed and rested, does not feel insecure about their abilities. 

Or not, but they are convinced that admitting it, even in a contextualized and reasonable way, in front of their bosses and colleagues makes them look like a less qualified, less reliable employee. Someone whom the company would be better off without or whom the company would find it disadvantageous to hire. 

That’s why it’s better to keep quiet and pretend that any way of working is good. As long as the body and mind can take it.

2. The law of silence

Hiding more or less serious mental health problems in order to protect one’s reputation and image contributes to the invisibility of the issue and, therefore, to the fact that it is not considered a real problem: “In this company, such things do not happen, everything is fine here, fortunately, we do not have this problem”

This is the first step towards not taking measures aimed at preventing and addressing problems related to mental health at work and perpetuating the widespread but never shared out the loud belief that mental health problems are a risk to professional development that we must manage on our own. 

3. Facing stigma, a shared responsibility 

Fortunately, more and more people and companies are realizing that the philosophy of looking the other way and forcing the performance of employees, indiscriminately singling them out at the slightest sign that their mental health is suffering, is being called into question.

As a result, everyone is finding a balance between the necessary self-care and the care that the company can provide to its employees through a specific strategy for the protection of psychological well-being, based on a friendly, open, and respectful corporate culture. 

mental health stigma at work

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Emotional well-being for companies

​​​​At ifeel, we understand that it is not possible to take care of the company without taking care of the psychological well-being of its employees. To do so, we have an emotional well-being program for companies, designed by our team of occupational well-being psychologists with one main objective: to help companies place employee health at the center of their strategy to build their mission statement.  

Thanks to this partnership, the people in charge of HR departments can receive personalized, data-driven advice on how to make good decisions in a company to get the most out of the teams they are in charge of and take better care of the psychological well-being of the people in them. 

Moreover, this program offers employees a holistic mental health care service structured at different levels according to their needs. This service includes, if required, online psychological therapy with a psychologist specialized in cases like theirs. Try our program today so you can see how it could help you.

We hope you have found this post about the mental health stigma at work useful. If you want more information about our emotional well-being program for companies, simply request it and we will contact your team as soon as possible. You may also be interested in this post about mental health at work.

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