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

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.

Disclosure of Mental Health Problems or Suicidality at Work: A Systematic Review

“…The review identified 26 studies, including 16 qualitative [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ], 7 quantitative [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ] and 3 mixed-methods studies [ 52 , 53 , 54 ]. Table 1 summarizes the included studies.…”

“…All 26 selected studies focused on mental health disclosure; none sought to understand suicidality disclosure. Most of the studies were conducted in Western countries, including the United States [ 31 , 40 , 52 , 53 , 54 ], Australia [ 33 , 34 , 41 , 45 , 48 ], the United Kingdom [ 32 , 44 , 46 , 50 , 51 ], Canada [ 42 , 43 , 47 , 49 ], the Netherlands [ 30 , 35 ], Denmark [ 29 ], New Zealand [ 36 , 37 ] and Germany [ 39 ]. One study was conducted in India [ 38 ].…”

“…Qualitative studies collected data by conducting semi-structured interviews [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 40 , 42 , 43 , 44 ] and focus groups [ 29 , 30 , 39 , 41 ]. Quantitative studies used survey instruments to collect data [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ] and mixed-methods studies collected data using focus groups, semi-structured interviews and surveys [ 52 , 53 , 54 ].…”

Informing and Sustaining Participation of Lived Experience in the Suicide Prevention Workforce

“…The issues surrounding specificity of LEW are linked with the issues of identity and role clarity in relation to peer support that have been raised in the mental health sector. In a study by King and colleagues [ 40 ], findings reported that identity management and the added “cognitive load” of managing a lived experience whilst working in designated lived experience roles created additional challenges for peer workers. For example, Huisman and van Bergen [ 22 ] highlighted that clarity is needed around the role of suicide prevention peer workers, and that this should be discussed between them and clinicians.…”

Bem-estar, Saúde Mental e a Enfermagem do Trabalho: uma revisão da Literatura

“…Destaca-se a falta de apoio para lidar com tensões no trabalho, gerador de adaptação. O trabalho em equipa assumiu importância na forma como se relacionam, cultivam ambientes de trabalho positivos e partilham experiências de vida (29).…”