5 Ways for Your Business to Fight the Stigma of Mental Illness

Individuals are more productive, happy and communicative when they prioritize their mental health. To encourage this and improve their employees’ wellbeing, businesses should start by learning to identify and combat the common stigmas.

What is a mental health stigma?

Global society is experiencing a significant decline in its emotional and mental well-being. About one in five American citizens have diagnosed mental health conditions. Supporting and validating the large demographic affected by illnesses can improve workplace satisfaction.

Mental health stigmas connect negative connotations or narratives to specific illnesses. They generate shame amongst people living with mental health conditions. Many mental health stigmas derive from stereotypes.

Some individuals refer to their peers as ‘crazy’ when they express their emotions. Generalizing individuals’ mental health struggles and name-calling can cause distress. Allowing employees to engage in mental health stigmas in the workplace may adversely affect work productivity.

How does the workplace impact mental illness?

Workplaces without mental-health-related standards may negatively impact employees’ well-being. Working long hours without adequate recovery time can lead to burnout, and frequent burnout may decrease individuals’ productivity rates and increase their risks of experiencing depression.

Spending extended time inside an office also adversely affects individuals’ mental health. Working long hours indoors increases symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia. Limited access to natural vitamin D also interferes with one’s mental health.

Business owners must target causes of mental illness in the workplace to improve employees’ health and well-being.

Here are five ways you can fight the stigma of mental illness.

1. Model mental health

Employers can improve emotional wellness in their offices by modeling mental health. They may be vocal about taking breaks to practice self-care. Business owners can also invite their employees on lunch break walks to spend more time outdoors.

Employees may practice self-care at work by adding symbolic artwork and photos to their workspaces. Individuals can display pictures of their families and friends around their offices to bring them joy. They also may schedule in self-reflection time to journal, meditate and tune into their emotions.

2. Create an open dialogue

Leaders can also create an open dialogue about mental health around the office to break stigmas. They may hold weekly check-ins with their employees to offer support during hard times. Leaders can also speak openly about their personal mental health challenges to normalize related conversations.

Individuals should also explore how toxic masculinity interferes with men’s abilities to express their emotions and seek help. They may find ways to create supportive environments for people  to communicate and share their feelings. Leaders can also develop safe spaces for all employees to discuss their mental health struggles and improve their workplace satisfaction.

3. Use sensitive and appropriate language

Business owners can also challenge mental illness stigmas in their workplace by using sensitive and appropriate language. Individuals may avoid using offensive terms to make employees feel more comfortable and validated. Employers may limit the use of insensitive slang in the office like ‘crazy’ or ‘addict’.

They may also avoid using toxic positivity in the workplace. Some individuals try to support their peers struggling with mental illness by offering a positive outlook. They may use phrases like “everything happens for a reason” to minimize employees’ struggles.

Employers can educate their employees about supportive language to use when their peers display signs of distress. Individuals should also avoid describing their peers based on their mental illnesses. Employers can hold employees accountable when they call other individuals downers, moody or neat freaks. 

4. Develop mental health awareness campaigns

Employers can also challenge mental health stigmas by creating mental health awareness campaigns. The campaigns may raise money for mental illness research and treatment programs. They also may raise awareness by providing employees with days off for self-care.

Creating a designated mental health day or week in an office can help struggling employees feel represented. It also may help employees feel supported by their employers and peers.

5. Offer accessible mental health services

Business owners can offer their employees accessible mental health services to minimize stigmas and support those struggling. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) help on- and offsite health services. Trained professionals can help employees get connected with trained mental health providers.

Employers can also offer health insurance covering therapy sessions and psychiatric appointments. Providing mental-illness-compatible healthcare may show support for struggling employees. It also decreases individuals’ stress and anxiety when seeking professional help.

The benefits of breaking stigma of mental illness at work

Challenging mental health stigmas in the workplace benefits employees and employers. Employees may feel more engaged and motivated in environments where their mental illnesses and respected and supported. Increasing workplace motivation also improves productivity rates.

Business owners may experience an increase in profits when employees improve their performance at work. Employees may also communicate more efficiently in supportive work environments. They can also experience more workplace satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment by improving their mental health.

By helping break the stigma of mental illness at work you will likely find happier, healthier employees and improved relationships between employees and employers. A workspace founded in trust and open communication about mental health is one that everyone can benefit from.