A recent study has revealed that people living with common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders often experience stigma in the workplace. Managers can play a key role in breaking down stigma and ensuring a person receives adequate support at work. A survey of over 3000 managers across a range of sectors investigated their knowledge of common mental health issues and attitudes towards employee depression. It also analysed how the managers gained their knowledge.

The survey revealed that managers were less likely to stigmatise depression if they had an understanding of common mental health issues gained through medical training, or their own professional or personal experiences.

The study concluded that specific knowledge and understanding may help tackle stigma towards common mental health issues in the workplace and that organisations should build managers’ capability through training and the use of experience-based knowledge.

The research findings were published in the journal BMC Public Health.

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