Workplace Stigma and Disclosure Decisions
Although discussions around mental health have become more common in recent years, mental health stigma in the workplace still exists and influences how we think about disclosing our own difficulties. For instance, we might worry about workplace discrimination related to mental illness or our professional reputation getting tarnished because of it.
As a result, we might assess the advantages and disadvantages of talking about our well-being at work and may even find ourselves wondering, Should I disclose mental illness at work?
These questions can be difficult to resolve, especially when someone is coping silently. With this article, we hope to offer you greater insight when making your decision by exploring:
- Why workplace stigma around mental health still exists and its impact
- The pros and cons of disclosing mental health issues
- Times you may find disclosure helpful and situations where you may not
- The mental health legal protections in the workplace
- The questions to ask yourself before disclosing, and how to approach disclosure about your mental health
- Answers to commonly asked questions about mental health stigma in the workplace
Why Workplace Stigma Around Mental Health Still Exists
Despite an increase in awareness about mental health, fear of stigma around mental health and employment still exists. And part of the reason why workplace stigma around mental health is present is that many corporate environments reward consistency, productivity, and emotional composure.
While these expectations can support high performance, they can also create pressure to appear unaffected by stress or personal challenges. The concern that many people have about being open about anxiety, depression, or burnout is that it might change how colleagues or supervisors perceive them.
Data on workplace stigma statistics around mental health show these concerns are not uncommon. A 2025 workplace mental health survey found that 42% of employees worry about their mental health negatively impacting their career if they discuss it at work. At the same time, nearly half fear their coworkers would judge them for sharing personal struggles.[1]
While there still is a lot of concern about navigating stigma in corporate environments, people’s attitudes around mental health also appear to be improving. Many employees say they support coworkers who are experiencing mental health challenges. Yet the same surveys show that people remain far less comfortable discussing their own mental health.
Further, a 2024 NAMI and IPSOS poll showed that about three out of four workers say it is appropriate to talk about mental health at work. Yet roughly two in five still worry about being judged if they disclose their own struggles.[2]
Essentially, these surveys show that workers are accepting of others disclosing their mental health. However, many still feel uncomfortable with personal disclosure, which might help explain why conversations about anxiety disclosure at work or telling an employer about depression often feel complicated.
The Impact of Mental Health Stigma in the Workplace
Mental health challenges are common, with research showing that about 15% of working-age adults live with a mental disorder.[3] But stigma around mental health doesn’t just impact people personally. Several studies have estimated that depression and anxiety account for billions of dollars in lost productivity each year.[4] But it’s not only financial loss affecting the workplace. People are also experiencing more burnout because of worry about employer bias around mental health conditions.[5]
So while people are more accepting of others disclosing mental health, many still feel uncomfortable discussing their own difficulties because of the fear of stigma. This can negatively impact productivity and lead to more burnout.
Should I Disclose Mental Illness at Work: To Share or Not to Share
Whether you decide to disclose your mental health conditions to your employer or not is a personal choice. But it’s often not an easy choice. Instead, it becomes an ongoing internal calculation of weighing the disclosure pros and cons of mental health and considering what level of openness feels safe.
It may be helpful to think of disclosure as a spectrum rather than a single decision. Some people share openly about a diagnosis or treatment, while others offer limited information about a health condition, and many decide they prefer managing mental health at work privately.
Situations Where You May Find Disclosure Helpful
If you’re not sure about disclosing mental health challenges to your employer, there are situations where the information can make work more manageable.
One situation where you might find disclosure helpful is when requesting workplace adjustments. If symptoms begin affecting concentration, energy, or scheduling, you may need flexibility to attend treatment, adjust workloads, or modify deadlines. In these cases, some level of communication, often including talking to HR about mental health, can help initiate a conversation about possible accommodations.
You may also find that some level of disclosure is helpful and necessary when taking medical leave for mental health. In this instance, you will likely have to provide your employer with some documentation that shows you have a qualifying mental health condition that meets the criteria for leave.
And if you’re in a supportive workplace environment, even just disclosing mental health conditions can reduce the pressure of keeping symptoms hidden. The constant effort of masking stress or emotional strain can contribute to exhaustion.
When You Might Choose Not to Disclose
While there are some situations where you may feel it’s necessary (and comfortable) to disclose your mental health challenges, there are certain situations where you might prefer to keep your health concerns private. The biggest reasons may be that the workplace doesn’t feel safe, there’s a lot of bias and discrimination, or you’re worried about your professional reputation because of mental illness.
Privacy, in general, is also an important factor. Mental health conditions are part of your medical history, and you may simply prefer to keep personal health information separate from your professional life.
However you decide to handle mental health disclosure in the workplace, the decision is yours and, therefore, you get to decide what and how much information is shared.
Understanding Your Legal Protections
Knowing what your legal rights and protections are can help you make informed decisions about disclosure and reduce fears about the legal risks of disclosing mental illness. These protections include:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA protects you from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace if you have a qualifying mental health condition.[6] This is because employees with qualifying health conditions receive disclosure protections under the ADA, including around whether mental health disorders substantially limit major life activities.
The law also allows you to request reasonable accommodations that help you perform your job effectively. These accommodations might include adjusted schedules, modified workloads, or flexibility for treatment appointments.
HIPAA Protections
Under HIPAA, healthcare providers, including mental health professionals, are not legally allowed to disclose any of your treatment information to anyone, unless specifically authorized by you.[7] This means that if you’re receiving treatment for a mental health condition, your provider cannot provide any information to your employer unless you want them to. And even if you decide to have information disclosed to your workplace, you get to decide what and how much.
Medical Leave Protections
If you’re experiencing more significant symptoms that are heavily impacting your job performance, there are laws that allow you to take leave and protect your job. Specifically, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible workers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for mental health treatment.[8]
You can use FMLA for any mental health condition. But you often need to provide medical documentation showing these conditions are severely impacting your functioning and you need time away for care or recovery.
Questions to Ask Before Disclosing Mental Illness at Work
Before deciding whether to share mental health information at work, you might find it helpful to reflect on your goals, boundaries, and workplace environment.
If you’re considering telling an employer about your depression or other mental health struggles, the following questions can help guide your thinking:
Will disclosure affect my professional reputation?
Considering the potential impact on your professional reputation can help you determine what level of disclosure feels appropriate.
How much information do I actually have to share?
You are not required to disclose a specific diagnosis. Conversations can instead focus on work-related needs rather than personal details.
Who will know about my condition?
Understanding who will receive the information, whether it’s a direct supervisor, HR representative, or a limited administrative team, can help reduce uncertainty when talking to HR about mental health.
What if my workplace culture isn’t supportive?
If there is an environment of stigma around mental health in your workplace, you may want to think carefully about timing, wording, and who you choose to confide in.
Confidential Mental Health Support at Mission Connection
Whether you choose to share your mental health challenges at work or prefer privacy, having the right support outside of the workplace can make a big difference. At Mission Connection, we provide outpatient mental health treatment that honors your confidentiality and privacy. Our programs allow you to receive treatment while continuing to manage work responsibilities through options such as virtual therapy and flexible in-person sessions.
Treatment at Mission Connection is personalized and grounded in evidence-based approaches, like CBT, trauma-focused therapy, and mindfulness. We also treat a wide range of conditions from depression and anxiety to psychosis, trauma, and self-harm.
And if you’re unsure whether you’re dealing with a mental health condition, or just want to gain some insight, we offer a free mental health assessment. Once you receive the results, you can connect with a certified professional to discuss your results and feel empowered to make decisions about your care.
If concerns about mental health stigma in the workplace have made it difficult to seek help, Mission Connection offers confidential, compassionate care. Contact our team or find one of our treatment locations to build sustainable mental health support while maintaining privacy and dignity.
FAQs About Mental Health Stigma in the Workplace
If you’re still mulling over how much information about your mental health to disclose in the workplace, the following answers to commonly asked questions we receive may help.
Should I Disclose Mental Illness at Work?
Whether or not you should disclose mental illness at work is an entirely personal decision. There is no right or wrong answer, but the decision often depends on your personal comfort, workplace culture, and whether you’re requesting accommodations or leave. The most important factor is making a decision that supports both your well-being and your sense of professional security.
Can My Boss Tell Other Employees About My Mental Health?
No, in most cases, your employer is legally not allowed to tell other employees about your mental health without your permission. If mental health information is shared, it is typically handled through HR and protected under workplace privacy policies and disability laws.
Do I Have to Tell My Employer if I'm on Antidepressants?
No, you do not have to tell your employer that you’re on antidepressants or any medication at all. Medical and mental health information is private and protected, so you do not need to disclose any medications or treatment details to your employer.
What Is the Stigma of Mental Illness in the Workplace?
The stigma of mental illness in the workplace is when employers exclude workers with mental health conditions from work activities or promotion opportunities because of mental health conditions. This stigma prevents those with mental health experiences from feeling safe to disclose and seek support.
How Does Mission Connection Protect My Confidentiality?
We prioritize your privacy and confidentiality. All of our treatment services follow strict healthcare privacy laws and regulations, including HIPAA and the ADA. Our team uses secure medical records for treatment and does not share any information without your express, written consent. Your employer will not receive any therapy records or session details. If you need documentation for leave or accommodations, we will confirm with you what information you would like included. In most cases, the documentation we provide only confirms you have a qualifying condition and nothing more.