Disclosing Mental Health Issues at Work

3-minute read

The work that we do typically connects deeply with our identities. Simply put, we want to do a good job at work because it reflects who we are, our values, and how we make meaning of our time spent in areas of our life that aren’t family, friends, or recreational activities. 

As we dig a little deeper in the issue of disclosing mental health issues at work it is necessary to examine a few considerations that all should consider as part of their calculation to disclose.

What do I mean when I say “disclosure?” Think of it this way. Disclosing an issue means to tell someone about something that may have otherwise been a secret. That’s pretty simple to understand, but when it comes to disclosing a physical or mental health issue there are many other factors to consider some of which I will outline below.

So why do people choose to disclose at work? As I mentioned a little bit ago, work is one of those activities that we do that hopefully connects us to who we are, our passions, and may be a reflection of our values. For this reason, when deciding to disclose at work, there are a few considerations:

Is it a safe environment?

If you were to tell your company would you lose your job? What type of discrimination might you face from coworkers or even your manager if you were to tell them about a mental health issue. Here’s an example, you’ve been late to work a lot recently because you simply can’t get out of bed in the morning and your therapist or doctor has said that you are going through a depressive episode. Do you tell your manager that this is the reason that you were late? What would they say? You may want to ask yourself these questions. 

What is your intent?

It is helpful to consider your reasons for wanting to disclose. Is there an accommodation you are looking for? Is your mental health issue greatly affecting your work where you feel letting others know may give you some grace on deadlines or workload? All of these are very valid responses. It helps to have some sense of what you are looking for as you disclose to your manager. They may ask you exactly the same questions. The interesting thing is that many companies may be willing to provide some kind of accommodation, but they don’t know what to do to help. It may be helpful to do some research or talk to your mental health professional about what you might be looking for.

Does your workplace value mental health and wellbeing?

Many companies nowadays focus a great deal on mental health and wellbeing. This is a good sign that your company has already thought about how to best support their employees that may be experiencing a mental health issue. It helps to get in touch with whatever department that handles mental health and wellness and see what resources they may have before having a chat with your manager.

Consider and Understand your legal rights

All people are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act which bars discrimination for any mental health or physical issues at the federal level. States like California take it a step further to ensure that all people have a right to work and receive appropriate accommodations should they need them. The issue comes in when you feel that you’ve been discriminated against in hiring, promotions, or feeling retaliation at work. If working in one of those supportive companies that I spoke of earlier, consult your organization’s policies on this as they apply to you. If you work in one of those companies that don’t seem supportive, consult websites such as National Association of Mental Illness - California to learn more about your rights as a worker.

What does your support system look like?

Before disclosing, assess your support system. Do you have family and/or friends that you can confide in about your mental health issue and how it pertains to your work? How about a therapist? Your therapist or psychiatrist can REALLY help to make sense of what can be scary and hard to navigate. We’re well equipped to help you determine how your mental health issue affects your day to day, help you come up with coping mechanisms, and how and what to ask for at work.

I hope this helps. Choosing to disclose can be scary on one end, liberating on another, and empowering in so many ways. Consult with a therapist to better understand your motivations around disclosure.