STIGMA ~~ meaning a mark indicating abnormality or a mark of disgrace. Those who are stigmatized because of mental illness, or anything else, are victims of discrimination—and the stigmatization only intensifies their suffering by causing feelings of rejection and isolation. People suffering from a mental illness or who are close to someone who have the illness, said they believed other people’s perceptions of them would entirely change the relationship if they found out.
Considering so many people have such difficulty opening up to people close to them, it's no wonder that there are real fears about being stigmatized in the workplace. The cost of mental illness in the workplace is enormous: 30 to 40 per cent of disability claims are for mental illness, and the losses amount to about $33 billion a year, not including treatment and health care—plus the unknowable costs in lost productivity by those people who suffer in silence.
Employees should think carefully about how much and to whom they are planning to disclose information. If an employee is performing a job well despite a mental illness, then there would be no obligations to disclose his/her condition. In fact, the benefits and risks of disclosing should be carefully weighed before any action is taken.
Sharing information with co-workers is a matter of personal choice. Trust is the issue, and although there is always talk among co-workers, be wise when or if you choose to disclose. This could be detrimental to your future with your company. Really ask yourself – am I going to be farther along by disclosing or just remain silent. Will it hurt or harm? And is it worth it?
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