Interventions to reduce the stigma of mental health at work: a narrative review

Abstract

Background: While there are reviews of the literature on mental health stigma reduction programs, very few have focused on the workplace.

Objective: We sought to identify, describe and compare the main characteristics of the interventions to reduce the stigma towards mental health at work.

Method: The search of original articles (2007 to 2022) was carried out in the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases, selecting 25 articles from the key terms: 1. Stigma, 2. Workplace, 3. Anti-stigma intervention/program, 4. Mental health.

Results: These interventions can be effective in changing the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of workers towards people with mental health problems, although further verification of these results is needed as they are limited to date.

Discussion and conclusion: Interventions to reduce stigma in the workplace could create more supportive work environments by reducing negative attitudes and discrimination and improving awareness of mental disorders.

Keywords: Interventions to reduce stigma; Mental health; Social stigma; Workplace.