Or your team left you out of a work trip because you told them you were on medication for depression.
Not only that, but you also hear nasty rumors in the office concerning the reason for your mental health condition.
These scenarios are all too common in the workplace.
Countless employees experience stigma in many workplaces, and the company knowingly or unknowingly breeds a culture of silence, shame, and misunderstanding.
Breaking the stigma surrounding various mental health issues in the workplace is vital for promoting a healthy and supportive work environment.
Even though employers are responsible for providing a safe and inclusive space for their workers, employees also have a role in reducing the negative impact of mental health stigma.
Today, Mental Health Awareness Kenya will explore the prevalence of mental health disorders in the workplace, discuss the stigma surrounding mental health, and outline how to improve mental health awareness in the workplace.
How Common are Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace?
A recent meeting by the Institute of Human Resource Managers (IHRM) in Nairobi revealed that employers have expressed alarm over the increase in mental health issues in the Kenyan workplace.
Further, a survey conducted by IHRM and Chiromo Hospital revealed that 50% of employees with depression remain untreated due to stigma and lack of proper support.
In addition, the Ministry of Health's mental health report shows that 10% of work absenteeism by employees is due to depression, with 36 working days lost each year per depression episode.
On the global front, WHO estimates that about 970 million people worldwide have a mental disorder; that is, 1 in 8 adults has a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders as the top two conditions.
From these statistics, it is undeniable that every workplace has several people struggling with mental health disorders. As a result, employers may notice increased healthcare costs and reduced company profitability.
Mental Health Stigma in the Workplace
Mental health stigma in the workplace refers to the negative attitudes and beliefs employers and employees have surrounding mental health conditions.
These attitudes and beliefs reduce the employee’s probability of seeking help and support in the workplace. The following are seven examples of how you can experience mental health stigma in the workplace:
- Exclusion from social events or work-related activities
- Being treated differently or avoided
- Receiving negative comments from colleagues or supervisors
- Experiencing discrimination in hiring, promotions, or performance evaluations
- Being passed over for employment opportunities
- Facing disciplinary action based on your mental health condition
- Feeling pressured to conceal your mental health condition
- Lack of understanding: Most people do not understand the nature of mental health conditions, how they affect individuals, and the importance of seeking help and support.
- Fear and stereotypes: Some people fear that a person with a mental health disorder is unpredictable, violent, or incapable of working effectively, based on stereotypes perpetuated in popular culture and media.
- Personal biases and beliefs: People hold personal biases or beliefs about mental health conditions based on their experiences, upbringing, or cultural norms.
- Workplace culture: In some workplaces, mental health disorders are considered weaknesses and an inconvenience. The company lacks knowledge of these conditions and the treatment available to manage the condition to undetectable levels.
Negative Outcomes of Mental Health Stigma in the Workplace
| Negative Outcome | Employees | Employers |
| Reduced productivity | Get more work to cover for workmates (for longer periods) as opposed to if they had felt free to disclose and seek help | Employees will fear to seek help thus their output reduces and increasing your costs |
| Increased absenteeism | If you felt free to talk about it you would have less missed days | Pay employees, but the output does not match it |
| Poor job satisfaction | You may feel frustrated by having to hide your condition or frequently covering for an absent colleague | High turnover rates with more expenses used to high new people who may also have an undisclosed mental health disorder |
| Financial consequences | Frequent absenteeism will reduce your chances of getting a pay rise. | Lose more money managing the aftermath of stigmatization |
How to Improve Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace
If you are an employer, you may think that firing an employee will reduce the need to handle mental health issues.
But from the statistics above, you will discharge several employees each year, which may do more harm than good to your business.
The lasting solution is to implement the following ways to improve mental health awareness in the workplace:
- Promote Mental Health Education: Provide training to employees and management on mental health awareness, including common mental health conditions, symptoms, and ways to support individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
- Normalize Conversations About Mental Health: Create a culture encouraging open and honest conversations concerning mental health. Also, provide employees with opportunities to discuss mental health in a safe and supportive environment, such as through mental health support groups or anonymous employee feedback channels.
- Provide Access to Mental Health Resources: Ensure employees access mental health resources and support, such as counseling services and mental health hotlines.
- Offer Mental Health Accommodations: Provide accommodations to employees who need them, such as flexible work arrangements, modified work schedules, and temporary leaves of absence to manage their mental health challenges.
- Address Stigma and Discrimination: Address mental health stigma and discrimination by creating policies and practices that promote inclusivity and respect for individuals with mental health conditions.
Encourage employees to report discrimination and harassment related to mental health and take appropriate measures to address these issues.
Mental Health Awareness Kenya Offers Training
At Mental health Awareness Kenya, we took note of the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders, and we desire to help parents in the workplace address this challenge.
As a result, we offer mental health awareness training for companies and organizations. Our Training involves educating employees and employers about mental health and stress management. We provide them with the knowledge needed to support themselves and their colleagues.
We cover topics such as mental health disorders, signs and symptoms, and how to recognize and respond to mental health challenges in the workplace.
Book our services with our qualified psychologist and trainer for one-off, weekly, or monthly training sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the qualities of a mentally healthy workplace?
A mentally healthy workplace:
- Promotes healthy mental health discussion
- Offers support to employees with mental health challenges
- Provides frequent training on mental health awareness
- Makes the workplace a warm and peaceful place
What are the benefits of frequent mental health awareness training?
- Employees remain empowered to deal with mental health issues
- Improved productivity in the workplace
- Better workplace environment
- Reduced medical costs
What are the main signs and symptoms of mental illness?
- Changes in appetite and mood
- Feeling tired all the time
- Difficulty sleeping and concentrating
- Feeling restless and irritable
- Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
- Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
