Workers may feel comfortable handing in a sick note for flu or physical illness this winter but mental health problems such as depression still carry a stigma, a survey suggests.

Nearly half of workers reported not being happy to disclose a mental health condition at work, especially among manual and skilled professions.

The survey of 1,000 workers by national charity the Shaw Trust found that 18.3 per cent would not reveal a condition even to their HR department and only 17.9 per cent would disclose details of an illness to a colleague.

Tim Cooper, managing director of The Shaw Trust, said: “The Office of National Statistics estimates that one in six people may suffer from a mental ill health condition at any one time.

“Despite this, our research illustrates that people are still very reluctant to reveal such a condition, particularly in the current economic climate in which workers are concerned about showing any sign of perceived weakness.

“We know however from our work that people with mental health conditions are perfectly capable of managing a job and their condition with the right support from their employers and therefore feel it is vital that such misconceptions are laid to rest.”

The poll was conducted in advance of World Mental Health Day on October 10th.

Of the respondents 34.5 per cent said the reason they would not reveal a mental health condition was because they felt worried or ashamed they would be treated differently. This figure rose to 43.3 per cent among 16 to 24-year-olds.

One in 10 workers thought that disclosing a condition would hamper their chances of promotion with those in junior and middle management being most concerned.

Cary Cooper, a professor of Organisational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University, said: “People have become more comfortable talking about physical illnesses over the years, however there is still a huge stigma associated with having a mental ill health condition.

“Dealing with such a problem often leaves people feeling awkward and a culture of secrecy seems to have emerged in which people are frightened to confide in others.”

More than half of those polled (54 per cent) felt they would receive more support for a physical disability than a mental health disorder.

Mr Cooper added: “There is a clear need for more structure and education on how to support employees with mental health issues.

“Businesses need to create an environment in which people not only feel confident enough to discuss a mental health condition with a line manager or member of the HR team but in which they can also receive the support they need to continue making a valuable contribution.”

To help businesses achieve this, Shaw Trust has created a website offering advice and information: www.tacklementalhealth.org.uk

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