Workers, bosses and mental health issues
Nearly four workers in ten would not let their boss know if they were suffering with a mental health problem, a new study has found.
According to research by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), a “significant” number of working people have mental health issues.
However, the study said there is still a perceived stigma regarding the subject, which prevents many employees from getting the help they need.
“Yet by getting treatment, it would benefit the worker and the workplace, and minimise productivity loss,” said Dr Carolyn Dewa, senior scientist at CAMH.
More than half of those who said they would not tell their manager if they had a mental health problem said they were afraid that letting them know would affect their careers.
Others expressed concern about losing friends, while some said they would stay quiet because people who have come forward in the past have gone through bad experiences afterwards.
The British Psychological Society is a member of the We Need to Talk Coalition. This group of mental health charities, professional organisations, Royal Colleges and service providers campaigns for people with mental health problems.
Credit: The British Psychological Society