One of the biggest obstacles that individuals with mental illness face in the workplace is stigma. Stigma results in negative perceptions of an individual based on their illness, and results in many negative assumptions about an individual’s ability to perform their job and succeed on the part of co-workers and supervisors. Sometimes, stigma can be so strong that it leads to discrimination.
Fortunately, there are several federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against those with mental illnesses, both in the workplace and in other public places as well. In the latest issue of the Focus newsletter, we examine the issue of stigma and discrimination, and share information about the legal safeguards that are in place to protect those with mental illness.