Worker attitudes towards mental health problems and disclosure
1Centre for Addiction and Mental health, University of Alberta, Canada. carolyn.dewa@camh.ca.
Summary
Many workers fear disclosing mental health issues at work due to career repercussions. Creating safe environments and manager training can reduce stigma and improve support for employees with mental disorders.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Mental Health Research
- Workplace Psychology
Background:
- A significant number of employees face challenges due to mental disorders or are returning to work after leave.
- Understanding employee perspectives on mental health in the workplace is crucial for support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Canadian workers' perceptions of mental disorders in the workplace.
- To identify factors influencing disclosure and concerns regarding colleagues' mental health.
Main Methods:
- A population-based survey of 2219 working adults in Ontario, Canada.
- Data collected via telephone questionnaires and web-based surveys.
Main Results:
- One-third of workers would not disclose mental health problems to their managers.
- Fear of career damage is a primary disincentive for disclosure.
- Concerns about colleagues' mental health often relate to safety and reliability.
Conclusions:
- Many employees do not seek support for mental disorders due to fear of negative consequences.
- Organizational policies and manager training are essential for creating safe disclosure environments.
- Making disclosure safe can reduce workplace stigma and the burden of mental disorders.
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