Mental Health at Work
An inclusive workplace values the contributions of all and accommodates the needs of diverse people, including people with mental illness.
Every person who struggles with mental health has a right to work, should be treated equally without reproach or discrimination, and should be provided with support in the workplace. Access to evidence-based treatments works; however, attitudinal factors surrounding mental health play a role in restricting access to these treatments (see link below).
We can do our part to reduce the stigmatization around mental disorders through willingness to talk openly with our colleagues and those we care about, and by taking time to reflect and consider the wellbeing of those around us.
To learn more:
- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offers frequently answered questions (FAQ) and a list of resources about legal rights in the workplace.
- The NIH Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides personalized consultation, short-term support, referral and follow up services to enhance personal and professional well-being. Their services are free to all employees and their immediate family members.
- Direct phone: 301-496-3164
- EAP brochure (pdf, 739 KB)
- Description of NIH EAP services
From the peer-reviewed literature:
- Evidence for a Mental Health Crisis in Graduate Education - Nature Biotechnology
- Mental Health in the Workplace - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
- Barriers to Mental Health Service Use Among Workers with Depression and Work Productivity - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
In the popular media, we suggest Author Andrew Solomon’s article Anatomy of Melancholy and book The Noonday Demon.