Taboos and prejudices

In October 2002, Health Canada published A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada in which one of the salient points was that “The stigma attached to mental illnesses presents a serious barrier not only to diagnosis and treatment but also to acceptance in the community.” (Health Canada et al. (2002). A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada p. 7)

The same report states that: “The serious stigma and discrimination attached to mental illnesses are among the most tragic realities facing people with mental illness in Canada. Arising from superstition, lack of knowledge and empathy, old belief systems, and a tendency to fear and exclude people who are perceived as different, stigma and discrimination have existed throughout history. They result in stereotyping, fear, embarrassment, anger and avoidance behaviours. They force people to remain quiet about their mental illnesses, often causing them to delay seeking health care, avoid following through with recommended treatment, and avoid sharing their concerns with family, friends, co-workers, employers, health service providers and others in the community.” (Health Canada et al. (2002). A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada p. 21)

According to the Institut de santé publique du Québec (2008), the prejudices surrounding mental illness cause almost two-thirds of people suffering from it not to get the help they need. Furthermore, 42% of people with a mental health problem have not told their family for fear of being judged. Also, according to an American study, 75% of employees who suffer from mental illness do not immediately seek help for their symptoms of depression because they are afraid of being judged and that the situation could hurt their chance for advancement in the company (University of Michigan Depression Centre, A Study of Depression in the Workplace, February 2004).

We can ask the question: “If I was the one who was depressed, would I tell my boss?” Probably not, because unfortunately, there are many prejudices about and forms of discrimination toward mental illness.

Many testimonials confirm the need for concrete action to demystify mental illness in the workplace. It is essential to stop the prejudices and guilt often associated with mental illness to promote their detection and the acceptance by individuals who are sick and those around them that, just like other illnesses such as diabetes, depression can be treated.

Managers do not need to treat members of their staff who show signs of depression or other mental illnesses, because this is beyond their scope of expertise. However, the Foundation believes that their role is in part to react without prejudice to these signs, to direct their employees to professionals and to equip them to better manage the situation.

The MIF believes it is essential to detect mental health problems and encourage adults to see a doctor, and receive proper treatment if necessary. Like lots of other illnesses, mental illnesses respond better to treatment at the beginning of the illness. Some of these illnesses, like depression, can worsen and even become chronic if they are not properly treated. Furthermore, early detection, intervention and treatment can significantly reduce the length of illness and the risks of relapse.

Both the employer and the employee benefit if the illness is diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Almost 50% of absences from work are related to mental illness, a growing problem that has to be met head-on. (Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 2008.) In Canada, almost 600,000 employees reported having received a diagnosis of clinical depression. (Ipsos Reid, Mental Health in the Workplace, 2007.) Do we need to point out that this creates enormous costs?

Stress and mental health problems are a leading cause of short- and long-term disability claims: 82% and 72% respectively. (Ipsos Reid, Mental Health in the Workplace, 2007.) The losses total around $33 billion per year, and this does not include treatment, health care or the loss of productivity of these people who suffer in silence. (Canadian Health Network, Suffering in silence: stigma, mental illness and the workplace, October 15, 2005) A single case of depression entails a loss of almost $10,000 per year for a company (Ipsos Reid, Mental Health in the Workplace, 2007).