Imogen Sharma

It’s easy to feel trapped when emotional unrest or neurodivergence intersects with your job. Workplaces often prioritize productivity and efficiency in ways that clash with the unpredictable reality of anxiety, depression, and other challenges that arise from the mind’s depths. Still I see plenty of potential for more: a future where conversations about mental health unfold openly, where empathy guides management strategies, and where employees feel supported instead of judged.

It doesn’t look like that future will appear overnight. A better relationship between mental health and work demands deliberate effort to replace outdated traditions with genuine concern for well-being. It also requires spaces where people can show up without disguising their struggles, and where mental health is embraced as a shared human experience rather than treated as a taboo.

There’s Still a Stigma Around Mental Illness and Neurodivergence

Stigma remains a persistent force, lurking in hushed whispers and unwelcome glances. Individuals who mention autism, ADHD, anxiety or depression often sense an immediate change in the room’s energy, as if admitting a personal struggle automatically classifies them as risky or unstable. Despite an increase in advocacy around these issues, many still encounter silent doubts and prejudices.

It’s not unusual to hide symptoms at the office, especially when others might misinterpret routine therapy appointments or mental health days as laziness or view differences as signs of weakness. The burden of this concealment can sometimes feel heavier than the underlying condition itself. Stigma and silence feed each other, causing many to pretend everything’s fine for fear of losing respect, opportunities, or relationships. In workplaces where a high value is placed on image, it becomes tempting to push challenges into the shadows—until burnout makes them too large to ignore.

Many Employers Lack Education and Empathy for Neurodivergence, Anxiety, Depression, and SMIs

A handful of motivational posters about “healthy living” won’t address deeper needs when real conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and ADD, personality disorders, or severe mental illnesses (SMIs) are in play. Some leadership teams express concern yet remain unsure how to translate that concern into practical support. Others place strict performance benchmarks over human well-being, as though empathy is somehow incompatible with a successful bottom line.

The reality is that when basic understanding is missing, employees receive neither the accommodations nor the understanding they need. Misconceptions about people “faking” conditions or dramatizing personal experiences persist, perpetuating policies that overlook or undermine mental health at work realities. The result is a workplace that fails the individual and the organization: mutual trust breaks down, stress escalates, morale drops, and turnover rises.

Effective solutions begin with an organizational willingness to learn. Insights on conditions and treatments evolve over time, so training and resource-sharing must be ongoing. Comprehensive programs that include scenario-based learning, open dialogue, and expert presentations help managers and employees become more informed and more empathetic. Once knowledge takes root, the workplace can shift toward greater acceptance and genuine care. There will be tangible business benefits to taking this approach, too, like decreased turnover, better morale, increased loyalty, and a transparent relationship between employer and employee. 

People With Issues Are Punished for It From Childhood

For many, the penalties of experiencing mental illness start early. Children who can’t concentrate in class or who have difficulty regulating their emotions are often labeled asdisruptive or lazy. Teenagers wrestling with depression may hear dismissals like “you’re too dramatic,” undermining the seriousness of what they’re experiencing. Children who struggle with emotional or behavioral regulation are often treated more harshly by adults than those who find it easier. I was often treated like I should know better and do better as a young teenager, when in hindsight, many of my issues were far beyond my control. These messages, handed down by peers, teachers, and caregivers, linger well into adulthood.

Arriving at a new job, these individuals carry an ingrained sense of shame. They may hide difficulties or overwork to compensate for these perceived weaknesses. Eventually, when burnout sets in and the person feels compelled to open up, they might not be believed due to prior masking. In some cases, an employer’s response intensifies those fears. Instead of recognition for their strengths, they encounter suspicion or judgments that they’re not team players. Punitive approaches to mental health struggles reinforce a cycle of shame that stretches back to childhood and shuts down any chance of a constructive outcome.

There is an alternative, and it’s actively recognizing that many adults in the workforce have navigated emotional hardships their entire lives. Individuals in positions of influence can create gentle, open environments where personal history isn’t treated as a liability. When organizations set an example by accepting that background experiences shape present behaviors, it disrupts that persistent cycle of punishment.

Advice for Employers and Managers About Mental Health at Work

Leaders have a massive role in rewriting the narrative. And no, you don’t have to be a mental health expert to make a difference. You just have to be human and actively committed to growing a healthier, kinder environment. Below are some guiding lights.

People With Mental Illness Were Usually Raised by People With Mental Illness

Mental health issues travel across generations because children learn to cope through the behaviors and emotional patterns modeled by caregivers who themselves may have unresolved struggles. This possibility merits greater understanding in the workplace because common behavioral patterns might reflect survival strategies and learned habits rather than unprofessional attitudes. 

Observant leaders who approach these situations with sensitivity can uncover ways to transform challenges into strengths. If you’re willing to put in the time as an employer or manager, you can genuinely shape someone’s life for the better through a little guidance and support. I’ve been lucky enough to have many incredible managers who helped me improve myself and build skills despite my weaknesses, and I think it’s one of the most profound things about our society. Empathy involves resisting snap judgments about mood swings, minor issues with appearance, a few absences each year, or trouble with communication. Instead, it means recognizing that everyone is shaped by past experiences that can still echo in present interactions.

Training opportunities for managers help break down myths about where mental health issues originate. They also reveal how supportive relationships at work can repair or replace harmful narratives learned long ago. Through providing an environment of compassion and respectful inquiry, an organization fosters fresh possibilities for employees whose early lives were defined by insecurity or turmoil.

Treating Employees Like Children Doesn’t Get Results

A high-control environment—harsh restrictions on breaks, micromanagement, condescending feedback, invasive supervision—sends a clear message that management has minimal trust in the team. Such an approach depletes morale and contrbuutes to a climate of perpetual tension. For someone already balancing mental health concerns, this dynamic inflicts significant damage by intensifying self-doubt and stress.

Respectful autonomy propels motivation and boosts performance, especially when leaders make a point of engaging employees in decisions about how work is structured. Adults want to feel valued for their input, insights, problem-solving abilities, and personal initiative. When that sense of being valued exists, productivity thrives without oppressive oversight. Individuals who know they have space to organize their tasks according to energy levels or personal rhythms often accomplish more than they would under rigid systems.

Results Are More Important Than Superficial Factors

Organizations sometimes invest enormous effort in tracking trivial details such as bathroom break frequency, banning mobile phones, heavily restricting internet breaks, or enforcing strict dress codes. Such policies can overshadow meaningful contributions. Though structure and guidelines have their place, an obsessive focus on minor infractions undermines trust and dehumanizes workers.

Placing genuine metrics—project completion, innovative ideas, consistent collaboration—at the center of performance assessments shifts the narrative toward what genuinely propels the organization. Employees who manage their own schedules or adapt their work style tend to deliver greater long-term success. In manty cases, a sense of empowerment eases anxiety and allows mental energy to flow toward actual tasks rather than the burden of meeting superficial expectations.

Mental Health Training Programs and Independent Research Are Your Best Friends

Many workplaces offer annual presentations that touch on wellness, though these single events rarely penetrate daily habits. Mental health literacy benefits from routine engagement. That means periodic workshops with experts, regular internal reviews of mental health at work policies, detailed handouts on recognizing early warning signs, and ongoing conversations about supporting colleagues. Such resources provide a roadmap for how best to respond to real-life work scenarios.

Leaders who set the tone by continuously learning and encouraging their teams to do the same cultivate an environment where compassion is a consistent practice. Outside of formal programs, distributing articles or sharing curated reading lists gives employees the chance to deepen their awareness at their own pace. Reliable information supports better decision-making in stressful situations. Additionally, it invites healthier interaction among coworkers who grow more informed about what one another might be facing.

Stop Fueling Fear and Build a Circle of Trust

Fear leaves people constantly looking over their shoulders, hiding mistakes, and pretending everything is fine. When this undercurrent persists, candid conversation disappears, and challenges remain unresolved. Over time, fear-driven environments degrade creativity and resilience. Even high performers become cautious about stepping forward, worried their errors might be weaponized against them.

Steady, empathetic check-ins can replace the impulse to micromanage. Instead of demanding immediate answers or scrutinizing every pause, leaders can schedule periodic conversations that focus on progress, obstacles, and overall well-being. This open style affirms that the workplace doesn’t revolve around “gotcha” tactics. When trust flourishes, people are more likely to own up to hiccups before they grow into full-scale problems.

A shared sense of trust stands as a powerful antidote to silent anxiety. Creating it may involve asking genuine questions, listening more than talking, and shaping policies that encourage transparency. Building circles of trust is not a one-shot effort; it’s a consistent method of relating to colleagues with genuine interest in their challenges and triumphs.

Untangle Shame and Encourage Radical Honesty

Shame festers when difficult thoughts and emotions are tucked away in dark corners. Individuals with mental health conditions often worry they’ll be branded as “unstable” if they speak openly about struggles at work. This fear leads to isolation, which amplifies the sense of walking alone.

Well-structured team or one-on-one conversations can combat that isolation by inviting employees to share frustrations, setbacks, and even raw emotions. By demonstrating openness and candor, leadership makes room for genuine human interaction, transforming tension into connection. In settings where an honest expression of how people feel is accepted, shame can lose its grip.

Modeling vulnerability—admitting missteps or revealing personal stressors—helps dissolve the idea that challenges are something to hide. Instead of fueling rumors or suspicion, radical honesty builds respect. Coworkers gain a deeper appreciation of each other’s character and resilience.

Embrace Human Moments by Celebrating Small Acts of Courage

Some victories, such as meeting ambitious goals or securing a significant client, are visible to everyone. Others are more subtle—a quiet admission of needing help, or voicing a new idea in a meeting, especially in an environment where risk is intimidating. Recognizing these micro-victories signals to the entire team that progress exists along a broad spectrum.

Highlighting these moments during regular gatherings fosters a sense of solidarity. Acknowledgment could come in the form of a brief mention in company updates or an appreciative word in daily chat channels. While it might not involve major fanfare, the power of a simple expression of gratitude can resonate deeply, especially for those who battled internal hurdles to reach that point.

Courage can look different from one individual to another, which is precisely why noticing small steps matters. It plants seeds of confidence that grow stronger when watered with consistent appreciation.

Normalize Guilt-Free Breaks to Protect Mental Space

Constant motion isn’t sustainable, no matter how often society proclaims the virtues of hustle. People need room to pause and refuel both physically and mentally. Breaks shouldn’t feel illicit or indulgent, but rather a natural part of the workflow—especially for those managing conditions that can intensify under stress.

Simple gestures, such as walking outside for a few moments or engaging in mindfulness exercises, can be lifelines. By normalizing them, organizations affirm that a quick reset isn’t a personal weakness but a method of preserving energy for higher-quality output. Managers who step away from their own desks set an encouraging example, reminding everyone that rest supports focus.

Breaking the mentality that “work time equals seat time” can improve creativity and problem-solving. People return from brief respites with fresh perspectives. In the long run, a system that respects breaks as an asset, rather than a threat to productivity, fosters a more balanced and sustainable environment.

Design Workflows That Nurture—not Drain—Energy

Thoughtful workflow design begins by examining team capacities, individual strengths, and shared goals. When deadlines or tasks pile up indiscriminately, anxiety spreads. The resulting chaos can overwhelm those with mental health vulnerabilities, driving them into a constant firefighting mode.

Collaboration in planning—welcoming ideas from across the team—ensures responsibilities are allocated in ways that align with expertise and bandwidth. This approach helps reduce the risk of burnout. Individuals can self-advocate about when they’re most productive, or what sort of workload distribution allows for periods of rest.

Workflows that nurture energy also include contingency plans for when unforeseen circumstances disrupt progress. These contingencies might allow for rotating responsibilities during crunch periods or flexible timelines in the face of personal emergencies. By confirming that plans can adapt, organizations make it easier for employees to speak up sooner when mental health symptoms intensify.

Reward Risk and Discovery to Remove the Fear of Failure

In workplaces dominated by perfectionism, attempts to innovate or experiment often stall because failure carries a severe penalty. This cautionary climate suffocates creativity. Rather than viewing mistakes as a source of learning, leaders may treat them as career stumbling blocks.

When leadership highlights the value of the attempt—even if the result falls short—there’s a change in the organizational atmosphere. Individuals with self-doubt feel more inclined to contribute imaginative ideas or challenging solutions. Turning missteps into teachable moments allows employees to develop resilience while expanding their range of skills.

A team that feels safe to experiment delivers more interesting products, solves problems more dynamically, and develops stronger internal relationships. Removing fear at the structural level frees those wrestling with anxiety or trauma to focus on growth rather than on protecting themselves from repercussions.

Make Support an Everyday Habit From Top to Bottom

One-off events, such as occasional lunchtime talks about mindfulness, cannot replace sustained efforts to embed mental health awareness into daily operations. These small moments can spark interest, yet lasting change requires a deep cultural shift.

Integrating regular check-ins, informal mentorship programs, and peer support circles creates a scaffolding of care. Senior leaders and executives hold significant influence in this area. Their visible commitment to empathy—an openness about personal challenges, a sincere interest in employees’ lives—sends a clear message that mental well-being is valued.

Support offered daily by colleagues, too, strengthens connections and lessens loneliness. When peers witness each other’s high and low points, authenticity replaces the facade of relentless perfection. Real stories and mutual understanding transform a company into a place where engagement flourishes and people have space to address their mental health at work without fear of judgment.

Tips for People With Mental Health Issues Who Are Worried About Work

Read on for some tips to help people who have struggled with their mental help get the most out of their work life.

The Best Thing You Can Do Is Hone a Skill or Passion

Honing a skill or passion can shape the entire course of your life, shielding you from pressures that might otherwise push you to fit into rigid career paths or social roles. The world around us frequently demands conformity, but a well-developed craft offers a way to stand on your own terms. Mastery provides a solid foundation—one that builds identity and confidence. When everything else seems unsteady, a cherished talent can feel like the one reliable anchor.

Drawing on Childhood Dreams

Reflecting on early memories often reveals interests that still carry an unspoken spark. You might recall times when you disappeared into drawing without noticing hours passing, or moments when building small contraptions felt as instinctive as breathing. Those hints might lead directly to something you can keep exploring now. A skill that once felt childlike or whimsical can become a serious vocation, transforming from a pastime into a source of true expertise.

See also: Jobs and Careers for People Who Hated School

Identifying Your “Flow” Activity

Finding a craft that draws you in so completely that you lose track of time is a strong sign that you’ve discovered a path worth following. Flow states occur when the challenge of an activity perfectly matches your abilities—enough to keep you engaged without overwhelming you. Writers describe a trance-like focus where words pour out unrestrained. Programmers speak of hours passing unnoticed while they solve complex logic puzzles. Athletes push their bodies so intently that all else fades to the background. Whatever the medium, if the activity immerses your mind and senses in a way that leaves you feeling satisfied rather than drained, you may have stumbled upon a key piece of your identity.

Six examples of skills you might already get einto  that you can build a career from:

1. Writing – It doen’t matter if you’re a budding novelist, poet, blogger, or screenwriter, words can act as a channel for creativity and a way to process your own experiences. Developing a distinct voice can create a lasting impact on readers while grounding you in a meaningful pursuit.
2. Drawing or Painting – Visual arts offer infinite possibilities. Some prefer intricate details, others rely on sweeping expressions of color. Every brushstroke or pencil line refines technique and expands your visual vocabulary.
3. Gaming – This might look like pure fun from the outside, yet competitive gaming or content creation around gaming demands strategy, discipline, and innovation. It can shift from a casual pastime to a space where you can form a personal brand or even a career if you’re motivated enough.
4. Programming – Coding is akin to constructing worlds out of numbers and symbols. It involves problem-solving at every turn, and when you finally crack a challenging piece of logic, the triumph brings a rush that fuels you for the next piece.
5. Mathematics – Figuring out difficult equations or exploring the theory behind numbers can feel like solving cosmic puzzles. Mathematics might appear dry to observers, but it can be deeply creative, especially when applied to real-world problems.
6. Cooking or Baking – Turning raw ingredients into fully realized dishes feels like alchemy. The kitchen can be a place of moment-to-moment creativity, blending aroma, taste, and presentation. A strong culinary skillset offers an endless array of opportunities, from personal enjoyment to professional paths.

The Path to Earning Through Your Passion

Earning money from something you love can appear straightforward at first—open an Etsy shop, teach online classes, attract an audience on social media, or freelance for clients. It often involves unpredictable hours, learning new business skills, and accepting bouts of uncertainty. Turning art or technical knowledge into a reliable paycheck requires entrepreneurial thinking, marketing savvy, and the willingness to let your work be seen and critiqued. That process can feel vulnerable, and success rarely materializes overnight.

Still, the rewards can be extraordinary. Committing to a passion-driven endeavor fosters a powerful sense of autonomy. It places you in control of your path rather than at the mercy of rigid job roles. The freedom to refine your craft while guiding your own career trajectory can outweigh initial obstacles. Over time, a successful venture built around a beloved activity can bring deeper satisfaction than the most polished conventional résumé.

Discipline and Hard Work Are Still Essential

Mastery, no matter the field, is rarely effortless. Creative pursuits require dedication to deadlines and consistent practice. Talent provides a spark, yet discipline fans it into a steady flame. Writing every day, streaming gameplay regularly, or persistently refining a painting technique demands unwavering focus. Even on days when enthusiasm runs low, progress emerges from disciplined effort.

Confidence can come from these small, consistent acts of diligence. When you devote time to honing your craft even when motivation is absent, you prove to yourself that your goals matter and that you’re willing to push through discomfort. Overcoming dips in energy or concentration produces inner strength. This resilience is what sets a committed enthusiast apart from those who treat their craft as a fleeting hobby.

A Profound Shield Against Conformity

Cultivating a prized skill or passion can act like an invisible armor. It keeps you aware of your inherent value, which is crucial when the world’s demands feel overbearing. Instead of molding yourself to fit someone else’s blueprint, you anchor your identity in expertise you’ve shaped with your own hands, mind, and time. This sense of agency helps deflect outside pressures to follow a “normal” path that doesn’t align with your nature.

A strong craft also opens doors you might never see from inside traditional structures. Unconventional career choices can grow from the seeds of creative pursuits, introducing you to individuals who appreciate your unique talents. The respect earned from true mastery often commands interest across many fields and industries. Companies might invite you to collaborate because your portfolio stands out, or clients might seek you out for your specialized perspective.

Building Your Own Corner of Freedom

Having a skill you’ve nurtured over months or years carves out space in life where no one else’s rules matter. You don’t need approval from colleagues or supervisors to spend an extra hour refining a design or rewriting a chapter. In that corner of focus, you answer only to your desire to improve. Gaps in confidence or dips in mental health will still arise, yet the process of creating something that’s uniquely yours can mitigate the heaviness. Not every day has to be a breakthrough; the mere act of showing up for your passion can provide comfort in a turbulent world.

This isn’t an instant solution—nor is it always easy. Creative and technical pursuits challenge you to scrutinize your abilities, celebrate your improvements, and accept your limitations. It’s the work of a lifetime, which is precisely why it offers such a deep sense of purpose. It grows with you, evolves with you, and stands by you when the corporate grind feels suffocating or when the future seems uncertain.

A well-honed craft can become much more than a side interest. It’s a fortress for self-expression. It’s your voice when stress or sadness threatens to silence you. It’s living proof that you are more than the condition you manage each day. By nurturing your own spark, you build a personal haven that remains intact regardless of workplace changes, unexpected life events, or external pressures to conform.

It’s Okay If You Don’t Have Capacity for Self-Development

Sometimes the energy required to care for your mind is already monumental. On days, weeks, months, or years when getting out of bed is hard enough, even the thought of adding a self-improvement pursuit can feel like too much. And remember, feeling overwhelmed is just a signal that your current resources are better used in resting or maintaining/cultivating simple, healthier routines.

Stepping back from skill-building or delaying an ambitious plan is okay – we are not robots. Healing and rest form critical parts of long-term development, though our culture often undervalues them. When you grant yourself permission to pause, you protect the core of your well-being. A future window might open for learning or growth once stability or balance returns.

A Deeper, Kinder Workplace

The relationship between mental health and work doesn’t have to remain tangled. Organizations have an opportunity to shatter long-held assumptions, committing to a deeper culture that sees employees as whole people. Leaders can dispel outdated policies, rewrite punishing traditions, and create climates where judgment gives way to curiosity and encouragement. For their part, employees can seek paths that connect them to supportive peers and engage in healthy self-care without guilt.

Together, it’s possible to move beyond silence and fear toward authentic engagement and collective progress. When mental health no longer hides in the shadows, employees can thrive professionally and personally. Work can become more than a place to earn a living and evolve into a setting where healing and high performance reinforce each other, encouraging growth on every level.

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