The Stigma of Mental Health in the Workplace
Could we dissolve it?
Hello dear friend,
Talking about mental health at work is never easy.
You fear being seen as "weak," or worse, dismissed entirely.
You've been conditioned by years of social dialogue about how it's best to "man up" and face your troubles.
You worry people might show unwanted sympathy and make the situation even more awkward.
You don’t want to walk in to work one day and hear people making jokes, “Oh, I heard that X is taking a “mental health” leave” followed by derisive laughter.
WHO reports that there has been a 13% rise in mental health conditions and substance use disorders in the last decade.
It's 2023, and we shouldn't pretend this "silent killer" doesn't exist. Now is the time to open up the conversation around mental health, especially in the workplace.
Here's how to dissolve the stigma around mental health as an employee/freelancer:
Accept that your poor mental health doesn't mean you're "weak." It just means you're sick, and with the right treatment, you can definitely get better.
Understand that you won't think twice if you had to take a few days off due to a physical ailment. Taking a break due to mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.
If you don't want sympathy, you can end your note with "I'd appreciate some privacy during this difficult time and prefer if this wasn't brought up again."
If you see a co-worker deviating vastly from behaviour (e.g. They used to enjoy group lunches/chats but now rarely show up) talk to them. Ask them if things are okay. They might not share anything with you but it will reassure them that they aren’t alone.
Don’t make jokes around mental health issues and never call anyone “mad” or “pagal” even in passing, and never in public.
Here's how to dissolve the stigma around mental health as a client/employer:
Normalize conversations around mental health in the workspace. Host workshops, share brochures, and make sure to cover mental illnesses in the company's healthcare policy.
Educate yourself on the various aspects of mental health, and don't use sentences like "I'm so depressed about it" on a whim.
When a team member comes to you seeking a break on mental health terms, deal with it with as much professionalism as you'd if they came to you with a physical ailment.
If you see an employee’s progress vastly dropping, ask them if things are okay and if there’s any way you can support them. Let them know they have a chance to make things alright before taking drastic steps like holding back their raise.
In the end, a societal change doesn't happen in a single huge leap. It happens a little by little each day as we take small steps forward in the right direction.
I'm willing to make this change today. Are you?
Do let me know your thoughts by replying to this newsletter.
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That’s all from my end today. I’ll see you again soon. Till then, stay strong. Keep smiling and be awesome.
With love,
Anangsha.