Stigma, taboos, fear, all still surround mental disorders. Nevertheless, mental health is an increasingly important issue worldwide. A recent study published by the BBC, for example, found that depression is the second most common cause of inability to work worldwide, right after back pain. Even this does not, however, change the fact that employers are far from able to provide support to employees who suffer from a mental disorder. Most workplaces remain silent about the issues of mental health.
While diabetes or cancer are already discussed quite openly, most people would not tell their employers that they suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or panic attacks. Admitting they undergo treatment for a psychosis, e.g. schizophrenia, would be even worse. Try to answer honestly how you would you react if they told you. All these mental disorders are still needlessly surrounded by myths. The Society for Human Resource Management website pointed to the following myths.
1. Mental disorder is a mental retardation
In fact, these are two completely different things. Mental retardation is not a disease or disorder, but a permanent condition of the human body caused by a brain damage. It is characterized by a permanent reduction in cognitive abilities. Mental disorders does not affect cognitive abilities, but thinking, experience and relationships with other people.
2. Mental disorders are incurable
Most people who suffer from mental disorders can achieve significant improvement in their condition and live a productive life if they undergo treatment. Medical science is developing rapidly in the field of psychiatry and has shifted from controlling the symptoms to real treatment.
3. Employees suffering from a mental disorder are worse workers than others
In fact, they can achieve even better performance than other workers. The experience of employers who employ mentally ill workers show that these people are highly motivated and accurate, almost meticulous. It is definitely not true that these people are absent from work or change employers more often than others.
4. Employees suffering from a mental disorder can't handle stress
Mentally ill people have the same problems in coping with work-related stress as other workers. Balancing the needs of individual employees with working conditions is much more important.
5. Employees suffering from a mental disorder are dangerous (even if recovered)
This myth is strongly supported by the media presenting most mentally ill people as unpredictably violent. However, most people suffering from a mental disorder are neither violent nor dangerous.
Do you have any experience with employees suffering from a mental disorder?
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