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Supporting the Sharing of Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace: Findings from Comparative Case Study Research at Two Mental Health Services

Author

Listed:
  • Alicia Jean King

    (Department of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Social Policy, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia)

  • Tracy Lee Fortune

    (Department of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Social Policy, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia)

  • Louise Byrne

    (School of Management, College of Business and Law, RMIT University, Melbourne 3001, Australia
    Program for Recovery and Community Health, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA)

  • Lisa Mary Brophy

    (Department of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Social Policy, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
    Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia)

Abstract

Personal experience with mental health (MH) challenges has been characterized as a concealable stigma. Identity management literature suggests actively concealing a stigma may negatively impact wellbeing. Reviews of workplace identity management literature have linked safety in revealing a stigma to individual performance, well-being, engagement and teamwork. However, no research to date has articulated the factors that make sharing MH challenges possible. This study employed a comparative case study design to explore the sharing of MH challenges in two Australian MH services. We conducted qualitative analyses of interviews with staff in direct service delivery and supervisory roles, to determine factors supporting safety to share. Workplace factors supporting safety to share MH challenges included: planned and unplanned “check-ins;” mutual sharing and support from colleagues and supervisors; opportunities for individual and team reflection; responses to and management of personal leave and requests for accommodation; and messaging and action from senior organizational leaders supporting the value of workforce diversity. Research involving staff with experience of MH challenges provides valuable insights into how we can better support MH staff across the workforce.

Suggested Citation

  • Alicia Jean King & Tracy Lee Fortune & Louise Byrne & Lisa Mary Brophy, 2021. "Supporting the Sharing of Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace: Findings from Comparative Case Study Research at Two Mental Health Services," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12831-:d:695712
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Quinn, Diane M. & Weisz, Bradley M. & Lawner, Elizabeth K., 2017. "Impact of active concealment of stigmatized identities on physical and psychological quality of life," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 14-17.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jacinta Hawgood & Jurgita Rimkeviciene & Mandy Gibson & Martina McGrath & Bronwen Edwards & Victoria Ross & Tracee Kresin & Kairi Kolves, 2023. "Informing and Sustaining Participation of Lived Experience in the Suicide Prevention Workforce," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Martina O. McGrath & Karolina Krysinska & Nicola J. Reavley & Karl Andriessen & Jane Pirkis, 2023. "Disclosure of Mental Health Problems or Suicidality at Work: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-19, April.

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