Challenging the Stigma of Mental Health

Mental health awareness is recognized each May in the United States and other countries around the world. Organizations team together to bring awareness and support to individuals facing mental health issues. It is estimated that more than 70 percent of individuals globally do not receive mental health treatment for their illnesses.^1,2 One of the root causes that prevent people from seeking help is the stigma associated with having a mental illness.

The need to break down stigmas associated with mental health has become more important than ever before. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression, but mental health stigmas prevent over half of them from seeking support.^2,3

Individuals who experience mental health issues may find it challenging and be hesitant to share their experiences due to existing stereotypes, leading individuals to feel shame, guilt, fear, or embarrassment. Here are some of the dangerous misconceptions that perpetuate stereotypes:

• Mental illness is not a real illness.
• Mental illness is just an excuse for inadequate behavior.
• Individuals who experience mental illnesses are weak and can't handle stress.
• Individuals with mental illnesses are violent.

The reality for individuals who battle with mental health problems is far from what the misconceptions indicate. With so many deeply ingrained stereotypes, it becomes even more difficult for individuals who experience mental illness to speak up, as the fear of being judged and categorized by others brings even deeper feelings of insecurity. Employees may feel apprehensive about sharing their challenges and seeking support. Some individuals may be under immense pressure to express themselves in a positive light even when silently struggling with anxiety or depression. The implications of stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health in the workplace keeps people who need care away from getting the support they need, which leads to severe effects on an individual's overall wellbeing, productivity, level of engagement, and satisfaction with their work. Overcoming the stigmas of mental health is beneficial for everyone, because when an individual attempts to confront their fears of being judged by others, it can be used as motivation and inspiration for others to come forward and seek support.

The first place to begin the conversation about mental health and breaking down stigmas starts with the leaders of an organization. Alan King, the CEO of Workplace Options, says there is a responsibility from the corporate level to address the stigma of mental health in the workplace and encourage individuals to seek support:

I think it falls squarely on the shoulders of the leadership team in the sense that we have a fiscal responsibility to our organizations and to maintain the health and wellbeing of our business. Health and wellbeing of your employees not only is a moral requirement, it's also an extraordinarily practical requirement that impacts the productivity of your workplace. It impacts the overall engagement that comes from your employees, and ultimately, it impacts whether an organization's able to be successful in the long term or not.

Effective leaders in an organization are not afraid to come forward, discuss adversities they may be going through, and check in with coworkers. King recounts a personal story he experienced in the workplace of a coworker who needed support but hid it from those he worked with closely. "In a million years I would never have thought that there would be anything impacting this person, but their performance was starting to be impacted negatively. They were starting to react in different ways and become less reliable than they were before," says King. He went on to explain that simply asking the person about their family led to that individual opening up and discussing the challenges they were facing. "It was just by chance, when we were having coffee one day, I asked an innocuous question, 'How's your family?', and everything came out. In that moment I could listen, and then I could make a connection to support and services that could change things entirely around for this individual. They got the assistance they needed, and we as an organization were there to help that person."

Checking in with coworkers in dire times reflects the progress people are making in the battle against mental health stigma. In order to battle these stigmas, misconceptions, and all other forms of discrimination associated with mental health, everyone must start the conversation around the issue.

"I think the first step is you simply talk. You simply start the conversation," explains King. "My experience, in general, is that all the things that people don't like to talk about are really the things that they should be talking about, and the one way to start the conversation is to recognize your responsibility to begin it. So, particularly with mental health, leaders and others can diminish the stigma by calling it out for what it is. Encourage others to share their stories, because it's the stories that we can connect with. The terms and words and the stereotypes of others are just that. The story is what we live and live every day, and that's what makes the most fundamental difference."

It is in every organization's vested interest to put more focus on ensuring employee wellbeing in the workplace. A physically and mentally healthy employee is less likely to take frequent leaves of absence and more likely to be engaged with their work, which adds great value to an organization's bottom line. Breaking down stigma surrounding mental health starts with changing people's perceptions towards the illness, which can be done through the following actions:

• Educate yourself about the types of mental illnesses to better understand their impact on an individual.
• Examine your attitude and the attitude of those around you towards individuals battling mental illnesses.
• Speak out and challenge attitudes of stigmas and misconceptions around mental health.
• If you have overcome a mental illness, share your story to inspire others to come forward and express their challenges.

To achieve a healthy workforce, employees need to know that their leadership is committed to acknowledging wellbeing and breaking down the misconceptions about mental health. It all starts with effective leadership at the very top of management and trickles down to the whole team and organization. Leaders must be an example and role models for positive change. Leaders can no longer ignore the role mental health has on productivity in the workplace. They must try to be mindful and empathetic towards employees and promote a positive and safe workplace by empowering others and encouraging coworkers to lift each other up. Checking in with coworkers could make all the difference between someone battling a mental illness in silence and getting the support they need.

References

1. Evans-Lacko, S., Henderson, C. & Thornicroft, G. (2013, May). Mental illness stigma, help seeking, and public health programs. American Journal of Public Health, 103(5), 777–780.
2. American Psychiatric Association. (2024, March). Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness. Retrieved October 21, 2024, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination
3. World Health Organization (WHO). (2023, March 31). Depressive disorder (depression). Retrieved October 21, 2024, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression