The Stigma and Silence of Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental health in the workplace is an underlying issue that needs to be solved. These issues can affect anyone, regardless of their title. The stigma surrounding mental health prevents most individuals from seeking help. When they don't seek help, it can have negative consequences for both the individual and the workplace. Employers are responsible for creating a safe and supportive environment for their employees. Their idea of supporting the employees' mental health might include a mental check-in or team-building activities. But they should be providing resources and support for those struggling with mental health issues.
Although mental health issues are becoming more common in the
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All of which have a negative impact on those who suffer from mental health issues. Some examples of stigmas that can be used in the workplace and about mental health are name-calling, misrepresentation, mockery, avoidance, and playing down symptoms. “About 75% of employees have struggled with an issue that affected their mental health. Yet, 8 out of 10 workers with a mental health condition say shame and stigma prevent them from seeking mental health care." (Mordecai, …show more content…
“62% of missed workdays can be attributed to mental health conditions.”(Mordecai, 2022) These missed workdays aren’t from employees making excuses. They are from people with mental illnesses who are too scared to speak up. “Mentally distressed workers are 3.5 times more likely to have substance use disorders and 50% of full-time employees have left a role for mental health reasons.”(Mordecai, 2022) So not only is the silence making the mental health illness worse, it is also contributing to other disorders. Employees would rather quit their jobs instead of talking about their mental health issues. The silence isn’t just loud; it's deafening and no one is doing anything about