To Disclose or Not to Disclose: A Multi-stakeholder Focus Group Study on Mental Health Issues in the Work Environment.
E P M Brouwers, M C W Joosen, C van Zelst and 1 others
PMID 31410722WHAT IT FOUND
Stakeholders said disclosure could bring help and respect, but also stigma and discrimination.
They favoured telling a supervisor selectively, after trust was built, and avoiding disclosure during hiring.
Key findings
01Disclosure was seen as helpful for relationships, authenticity and workplace support, but also as risking discrimination and stigma.
02Disclosure was generally directed to the supervisor, and four groups believed disclosure during hiring reduced chances of being hired.
03Human Resources managers favoured disclosure during hiring because it let them avoid financial risk, while people with mental illness stressed authenticity for wellbeing.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
Views came from 27 participants in small focus groups. They describe opinions rather than measured work outcomes. Participants were selected purposively. Seven people with mental illness, 15 employers, eight work reintegration professionals and two Human Resources managers declined participation for lack of time or interest. Those who took part may have been more interested in inclusion than average. The people with mental illness group included only men. Diagnoses included autism, schizophrenia, ADHD, addiction and psychosis. No participants with common mental disorders were willing to take part. The Human Resources manager group included only women. No public sector employers were included. The study aimed for insight rather than generalisability. The outcome of disclosure was not followed over time.
Declared interests
The paper reports no funding source or conflict-of-interest declaration. Participants received a 10 euro gift voucher.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat this as evidence that disclosure improves employment or health. It reports stakeholder views from small focus groups. It did not follow outcomes for people who disclosed.