Too often, we mistakenly assume that mental health is the same for everyone, and that race and ethnicity are not factors. But disparities exist between people of color and their white counterparts in the prevalence, incidence, symptoms, and treatment of mental health conditions. The Covid-19 pandemic and the wider recognition of racism as a public health crisis have highlighted these disparities, along with the need to acknowledge and address them in the workplace.
Supporting the Mental Health of Employees of Color
Advice for both individuals and decision-makers.
May 03, 2024
Summary.
Mental health isn’t the same for everyone; disparities exist between people of color and their white counterparts in the prevalence, incidence, symptoms, and treatment of mental health conditions. You can take steps to acknowledge and address these disparities in the workplace. If you’re a person of color, you can address the mental health struggles you face at work by understanding racism and its impact and assessing the state of your mental health, even deciding whether your company is a place you can thrive. If you’re a leader, make it a priority to find out more about how your employees of color really feel at work and how you can better support them. Doing so is a win for the employees and the business alike.
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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Stress Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to build resilience at work.