Research indicates that between 110 million and 190 million people, or 15% of the world’s population experience disabilities of some form. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 450 million people experience mental conditions worldwide. The WHO reported in 2017 that conditions like depression and anxiety are estimated to cost the global economy $1 trillion dollars due to productivity loss. Three out of every four employees in the United States is afflicted with a mental illness of some sort, according to the American Health Association. This means that if you manage 100 employees, 75 of them are experiencing some sort of mental illness. There may be employees that want to disclose their condition to employers but are apprehensive and fear negative consequences. Employees may worry that their peers will treat them differently after the disclosure of a mental condition, and these fears are somewhat founded. A 2014 study of people with mental illnesses found that of the 1,381 participants surveyed, over half of the participants indicated that they have not been hired for a job because of their mental illness. Participants indicated that they experienced negative responses after they disclosed their condition. Some participants reported that they had been denied opportunities, were treated differently and were even fired from previous employment due to their condition. The evidence suggests that individuals that decide to disclose a mental condition will likely experience negative consequences. But sometimes the costs of keeping your condition a secret are taxing on mental resources. In considering whether to disclose your condition to your employer, it’s important to weigh the costs of not disclosing.
The mental illness stigma paints individuals with mental illnesses as dangerous and violent. If you are debating whether or not to disclose your condition to your employer, consider the following question: has your condition impacted your ability to do your job or do you expect it to impact your ability to do your job? The Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers to give employees with mental illnesses a reasonable accommodation. If your condition requires accommodations in order for you to perform your job duties optimally, it is a good idea to disclose your condition to your employer. If you have determined that your condition may impact your ability to adequately perform your job, it is also important to consider how you will disclose your condition to your employer or potential employer. If you get indications during the interview or while on the job that the employer is not inclusive and would not be receptive to the disclosure of mental illness, you may want to rethink disclosure. Another important consideration to make is whether you want to reveal details about your condition or whether you would rather request accommodations that are needed while being as vague as possible about your condition. Some mental illnesses are more stigmatized than others, so this is an important factor to assess and is contingent on your specific condition.
Ultimately, the decision to disclose is up to the employee. For employers, it is important to create an environment where employees and job candidates feel comfortable disclosing. A supportive atmosphere that is inclusive of all employees will allow employees to thrive. An environment, on the other hand, in which employees don’t feel valued, respected or a sense of belonging will prevent individuals from disclosing their conditions. For those with mental illnesses, their condition may affect their ability to perform their job to the best of their abilities, which will affect their productivity and thus the organizational productivity. Failure to disclose a mental illness can be much more damaging and detrimental for organizations than for the individual. Ensuring that all employees are properly trained on how to effectively create an equitable environment is imperative and will allow your organization to be a place in which individuals feel comfortable disclosing their condition.
