A "Mental-Health-at-the-Workplace" Educational Workshop Reduces Managers' Stigma Toward Depression

Stigma and discrimination are important factors hindering people with mental health conditions to stay employed or successfully make their careers. We surveyed 580 German managers before and after visiting a mental-health-at-the-workplace educational workshop using the Depression Stigma Scale. The workshop significantly reduced stigma toward depression. Managers at baseline already exhibited lower stigma toward depression compared with the general population. In addition, female gender and higher education predicted lower stigma, which is in line with findings from other studies. We conclude that an educational workshop giving practical guidance regarding mental-health-at-the-workplace reduces managers' stigma toward depression and improves knowledge regarding depression, its course, and its treatment.