<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why This Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
With pandemic-related stressors beginning to subside, one might think mental health stigma at the office is less of a pressing issue. However, several concerns suggest that companies must continue to destigmatize mental health discussions at work even as the factors that gave rise to the spike in mental illness and highlighted the importance of mental health fade away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mental Health Will Remain A Significant Post-Pandemic Concern<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
According to a survey<\/a> conducted by Mental Health America, nearly 50 million Americans experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders one year before the pandemic, meaning a substantial number of adults were already dealing with mental illness for unrelated reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since then, rates of depression and anxiety have risen dramatically and may not return to pre-pandemic levels any time soon, as years of sustained stress and anxiety aren\u2019t likely to go away overnight. Moreover, as employees come back into the workplace and cope with novel organizational challenges, they will experience new sources of stress and anxiety, replacing pandemic-related stressors with work-related ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n As employees continue to experience stress and anxiety, it is critical that they feel comfortable discussing their mental health at work. Employees who don\u2019t believe their place of work is a safe space to discuss their mental health may be less likely to utilize their organization\u2019s mental health benefits. In some cases, this may happen because employees don\u2019t know about the benefits available to them since they don\u2019t feel they can ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other cases, employees may not address their mental health because they have internalized what they perceive to be a negative attitude toward mental health at work. A recent survey<\/a> of over 45,000 individuals found that 22% were deterred from seeking help for clinical or subclinical mental health symptoms due to perceived social stigma, making it the fourth most commonly cited barrier among the 10 countries included in the study. For similar reasons, employees may not take time off when they feel stressed or overwhelmed, which is necessary to avoid burnout<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Given the importance of creating a safe space for mental health discussions at the office, employers must implement strategies to improve their mental health cultures and destigmatize mental health at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n To be comfortable talking about their mental health struggles, employees will need to feel confident that their employers won\u2019t judge them for it. One highly effective way to inspire confidence is to have senior executives openly discuss their experiences with mental health. This sends a clear signal that leaders within the company feel there is no shame in having or discussing one\u2019s mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Employees may be just as concerned with the views of their colleagues as their team leaders. By having willing employees at all levels share how they cope with stress and mental illness, workers will learn they can comfortably discuss their mental health with anyone they chose and pick up a few helpful tips in the process. They may also form new bonds and lines of social support which are critical resources in one\u2019s mental health toolkit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPerceived Stigma Can Limit Use Of Mental Health Benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Asset](\"https:\/\/www.wellable.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Asset%208-1.svg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHow To Destigmatize Mental Health At Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
#1 Lead By Example<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#2 Have Willing Employees Share How They Cope With Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n