Breaking the Stigma: Discussing Mental Health in the Workplace

Feb 9

Written By Editor

Breaking the Stigma: Discussing Mental Health in the Workplace

The Prevalence of Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace

Businesses are currently facing a significant increase in mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder (SUD) among their employees. Many people attribute this notable rise in work-related mental health problems to the long-lasting psychosocial effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey conducted by the Business Group on Health in June and July of 2023 found that 77% of employers saw a rise in mental health problems in their workforce in 2023, a considerable increase from 44% of employers in 2022.

Despite the increasing prevalence of what has been termed ‘the quiet struggle’ at the workplace, a significant number of businesses continue to shy away from addressing these crucial matters. This hesitancy is deeply entrenched in the persistent stigma that envelops mental health discussions in the corporate world.

Employers have noted a 44% upsurge of mental health issues amongst employees following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. This figure increased to 77% in 2023, and 16% of employers are expecting a further rise in the future. According to Gartner’s Vice-President of Research and Advisory, Aaron McEwan, this substantial increase in mental health concerns in the workplace is an aspect of the cumulative trauma of the pandemic.

However, while the COVID-19 health crisis indeed has lingering effects on mental health, it is important to keep in mind that mental health issues among employees are multifaceted and have several potential causes, such as burnout, work-related stress, organisational culture, and a lack of work-life balance.

The human spirit, resilient as it may be, has its limits. No matter how dedicated an employee, there is a threshold to the stressors they can endure. The weight of work related-stressors in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, and complex world pose a serious risk of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion. This can result in diminished focus, higher levels of absenteeism, and an increase in accidents that reflect the toll taken on their well-being.

Similarly, a company’s organisational culture has a big impact on the mental health of its workforce. A research study conducted by Morse et al. in 2012 found that workplace culture can substantially impact employees’ job satisfaction and happiness. A supportive work environment that emphasises employee well-being tends to generate higher levels of job satisfaction and productivity among employees. On the contrary, an unfavourable workplace culture that promotes conflict and stress adversely affects employee well-being and likely leads to decreased job satisfaction, increased absenteeism, and reduced productivity.

Breaking the Silence: Overcoming Stigma

Too often, businesses find themselves grappling with the challenge of addressing mental health concerns. This reluctance might arise not from indifference but a lack of awareness and adequate understanding, exacerbated by the fact that mental health disorders often manifest in ways less apparent than physical illnesses.

Further, widespread misunderstanding of mental health can lead to employees fearing that they might be unfairly labelled as incapable, incompetent, and lazy. This coupled with the persistent stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace, can lead individuals who struggle with mental health to withdraw and keep silent despite the impact it has on their work and career prospects.

It is little surprise that many employees remain hesitant to reveal that they are facing mental health challenges at work. The National Alliance on Mental Illness found that eight out of ten employees with mental health issues said that stigma and shame prevented them from seeking help. Even in the most progressive companies, many employees choose to keep their mental health struggles concealed, fearing that revealing them could compromise their work relationships, harm their reputations, and even put their jobs at risk.

Building a Supportive Workplace Culture

Addressing the issues of mental health in the workplace requires a collective effort at the organisational level. Organisational culture has a huge impact on employees’ mental well-being. For this reason, it is necessary for employers to create a supportive workplace culture that allows employees to feel safe and be open about their mental health concerns.

A study conducted by Colquitt et al. in 2007 found that a supportive work culture can positively influence how workers perceive trust, justice, and loyalty to their companies.

Facilitating conversations about mental health within the workplace, supported by an empathetic culture, can be beneficial not only for the well-being of employees but also for the overall success of the organisation. A supportive work environment that promotes employee well-being generates employee engagement, healthy interactions between co-workers, and a sense of purpose and meaning in one’s work. All this leads to higher levels of job satisfaction and productivity and lower turnover rates.

There are several ways to create a supportive workplace culture. Initiatives like prioritising mental health training for leadership, embracing flexible work arrangements, and implementing employee assistance programs can be instrumental. These programs are tailored to provide comprehensive support, addressing a spectrum of challenges from work-related stress to personal issues, crisis management, and individual counseling. Some organizations have proactively supported their employees seeking depression, burn out and anxiety counselling in Singapore by offering programs that cover the cost of treatment for psychotherapy and counselling for a fixed amount or number of sessions.

Central to forging an organisational culture that supports employee mental well-being is adopting a proactive and holistic approach. Beyond aiding employees in times of need, employers must take the initiative to help them maintain both physical and mental wellness. This involves taking the time to assessment and improve on systems that might cause unnecessary stress and pressure, building a culture of psychological safety, and exploring measures to cultivate a work environment where every individual can thrive.

Challenges and Opportunities

A key factor behind the increasing prevalence of mental illnesses among employees is the fact that promoting discussions about mental health in the workplace remains difficult to this day. Beyond the persistent stigma that surrounds mental health, several factors, including resistance, privacy concerns, and cultural disparities in attitudes toward mental disorders, make it an uphill task for employers to initiate these important dialogues.

However, these challenges can be effectively overcome by creating and implementing a comprehensive mental health framework wherein employers and employees work collaboratively to address mental health concerns in the workplace. This includes formulating policies that provide support structures and clear guidelines for mental health in the workplace, as well as regularly evaluating and adjusting mental health strategies to make sure they meet employees’ evolving needs.

Above all, addressing mental health challenges requires normalising mental health conversations in the workplace. Employers and employees alike should strive to make discussions surrounding mental health a natural and frequent aspect of their organisational ethos. This can be done by enforcing routine mental health check-ins and initiating regular “Mental Health Talks” where specialists delve into various topics, providing employees with insights and safe spaces to openly share their mental health experiences.

In Closing

There is no denying the fact that mental health challenges in the workplace are widespread. Factors such work-induced stress, and a workplace culture of silence contribute to the increasing prevalence of mental health struggles among employees.

In recognising the growing challenge of mental well-being among employees, it becomes essential for employers to cultivate a culture that normalizes talking about and addressing mental health concerns, where employers and employees work hand in hand to promote overall well-being at work.

At The Mind Collected, our counsellors understand the distinct hurdles of maintaining equilibrium between mental and physical well-being amidst the escalating stress and busyness of modern life. If you are located in Singapore, reach out to us today to learn more about how depression or anxiety therapy can contribute to your mental health and overall well-being.

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