You would think given the proliferation of people, across all industries, talking about taking mental health break would encourage employees to speak up about the subject at work.
Well, you would be wrong, unfortunately.
A recent Workplace Mental Health Poll from The National Alliance on Mental Illness found that while 81% of people will discuss mental health with a close friend at work, and 57% will talk to their manager, only 39% feel comfortable sharing with HR, and less than three in ten (28%) would share with senior leadership.
For those who say they feel uncomfortable discussing mental health at work, the top five reasons include:
- Stigma or judgment around mental health,
- Lack of discussion from colleagues,
- Not wanting to appear weak,
- Fear of losing opportunities or retaliation,
- Job's effect on their mental health.
Confusion About Coverage
Lack of information abouse employer resources is also an issue as 26% said they didn't know if their employer offers mental healthcare benefits, an employee assistance program, flexible work arrangements, or sick days for mental health.
And even when employers provide mental healthcare, slightly more than half, 53%, even know how to access that information from their insurance plan.
If they had these benefits, 80% of respondents report these benefits would be important to creating a positive workplace culture.
Lack of Training
Employees are open to employer training on the subject, as 75% said that further training would support their own mental health as well as that of their colleagues.
The survey found employees want training on the following:
- Employer health insurance benefits for mental health treatment (84%)
- Stress or burnout management (82%)
- Identifying and responding to a mental health crisis (81%)
- Mental health conditions, including signs or symptoms (80%)
- Other employer resources to support mental health (79%)
- Communicating with coworkers (77%).
For those who received training about mental health, more than half (57%) reported it helped them feel more comfortable talking about mental health with coworkers.
Still Stigma
Even with increased awareness of mental health concerns in general, there is still stigma around it. The groups poll last year, NAMI-Ipsos found that "most Americans believe it’s appropriate to talk about mental health at work but may not be prepared or feel comfortable to do so."
To address this the NAMI has created a Stigma Free Workplace Initiative. This initiative offers both employers and employees no-cost resources and tools to prioritize mental well-being. This include downloads of presentations.
There are also guides such as:
For Leaders: Supporting Employee Mental Health During Traumatic Events or Challenging Times
Supporting Your Mental Health After Trauma
Working With Depression: A Guide for Employees
Working With Depression: A Guide for People Managers
Working With an Anxiety Disorder: A Guide for Employees
Working With an Anxiety Disorder: A Guide for People Managers
The importance of addressing this issue can't be overstated. A Mental Health America report released in 2024, found that 23% of adults experienced a mental illness in the past year. That is equivalent to nearly 60 million Americans.
In addition to the health cost employees face dealing with mental illness, the cost to employers is high as well. It's hard to determine the exact cost since the measurement is often in terms of increased absenteeism, decreased productivity, and higher healthcare costs associated with untreated mental health conditions.
The first step ito address this very serious issue, however, is for workplaces to have a culture that encourages employees to speak up on the issue so that workers can get the help they need.
