Speaking Up About Mental Health at Work

You can build a meaningful career and protect your mental health.
They aren’t mutually exclusive.

But let’s be honest — many people still feel unsure about speaking up at work, especially if:

• They’re managing a diagnosed condition
• They’re afraid of being judged or passed over
• They don’t know if it will help or hurt their situation

This lesson will help you think through when, why, and how to speak up at work in a way that feels safe, considered, and true to your needs.

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💬 Why Speak Up?
There are a few powerful reasons to open up about your mental health at work:

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1. Your performance is being affected
If your mental health is impacting your ability to do your job, letting your employer know allows them to:

• Offer support or make adjustments
• Avoid misinterpreting the issue as a performance problem
• Point you to helpful resources (like EAP or flexible scheduling)

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2. The pressure of hiding it is making things worse
Pretending everything is fine takes energy.
Speaking honestly can offer relief and reduce internal stress.

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3. It helps protect others too
If your symptoms or mood are affecting your team, being open helps set expectations and manage relationships with care and accountability.

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4. It leads by example
Your honesty may empower others to open up, shifting the culture toward openness and inclusion.

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5. It protects your rights
If you ever need to make a formal complaint or request workplace accommodations, disclosure may be necessary to access your legal rights under anti-discrimination laws.

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❓ But Should I Speak Up?
Even with all those reasons, it’s not always the right time or place.
Here are some important factors to consider:

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🤔 When you might choose not to speak up:

• Your mental health isn’t affecting your work, and no adjustments are needed
• You already have strong support outside of work
• You’re still coming to terms with your experience and not ready to share
• You don’t trust your employer to respond appropriately or protect your privacy

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🧠 Key questions to ask yourself:

• Does your company have a mental health or wellbeing policy?
• Is there an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
• Can you request confidentiality around who this information is shared with?
• Is there someone at work you trust who’s been through something similar?

Only speak up if it feels right — not because you feel pressure to do so.

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🗣️ If You’re Ready to Speak Up, Here’s How to Do It Thoughtfully

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1. Choose the right time and person
Pick a moment when you feel calm and clear.
Speak to someone with the power and emotional maturity to support you — like a trusted manager, HR contact, or team leader.

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2. Decide how much to share
This is your story — you decide how detailed to be.
You don’t need to share everything. Focus on:

• How you’re feeling
• How it affects your role
• What support or adjustments might help

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3. Clarify what is and isn’t impacted
This can ease anxiety for others and reinforce your accountability.

Example:
“My productivity has been lower this month due to what I’m managing.”
“But I’m still committed to my responsibilities and have some ideas for managing it better.”

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4. Share your suggestions
Come prepared with options for how your employer could support you:

• Flexible work hours or locations
• Adjusted deadlines or workload
• Time off (if needed)
• A check-in schedule or wellness plan

Help them help you.

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5. Talk about confidentiality
You have the right to request that your personal information stays private.
Set clear boundaries around who you’re comfortable having this info.

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⏳ Should I Take Time Off?
If you’re not coping — take the time you need.

But if you can stay at work with support, it often helps recovery because:

• It provides structure, purpose, and connection
• It prevents backlog or extra stress later
• It keeps you engaged in something meaningful

That said, staying at work when you’re mentally overwhelmed can also cause more harm — to you and your team — so be honest with yourself about your current capacity.

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💬 Final Thought
There’s no single right way to approach mental health at work.

But here’s what’s always true:
You deserve to feel well.
You deserve to be supported.
You deserve a career that doesn’t come at the cost of your emotional wellbeing.

And with the right timing, approach, and environment — work can actually become part of your healing.