Almost 7 in 10 Aussies hiding mental illness from employer 

The survey into mental health perceptions and realities was conducted by Wayahead (Mental Health Association of NSW) and gained insights from 2000 respondents nationwide, half with lived experience of mental health issues and half without. Of those with lived experience, 38% say they have experienced unfair treatment by their workplace, while 53% say stigma is most prevalent in the workplace.

Other key findings from the survey are below. 

People With Lived Experience 

• Regarding wait times for a mental health issue, 18% said it took them three years to get help; 21% two to six months; and 15% were yet to seek any help. 
• 32% felt treated unfairly by managers or colleagues in the workplace because of their mental illness. 
• 71% say public community education would help reduce stigma while 56% say increased government funding to the sector would also help.
• 29% felt GPs treated them unfairly when seeking help for their issue 

People With Non-Lived Experience 

• 68% believe more needs to be done to eliminate discrimination towards people affected by adverse mental health problems.
• 43% believe people with a mental illness experience unfair treatment by their neighbourhood. 
• Only 7% felt workplaces always provided a safe environment for people experiencing mental health issues to feel open and safe about asking for help. 
• 23% said their own workplace always offered a supportive environment for people with mental health issues.  
• 47% believe we have come a long way but stigma is still prevalent, while 44% said stigma still exists.