MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA IN CORPORATE PAKISTAN: NARRATIVE INSIGHTS FROM HR MANAGERS

Abstract

There is still a large mental health stigma in corporate settings around the world, greatly impacting worker wellness and workplace productivity. This study seeks to investigate the issue of stigmatization of mental health in corporate Pakistan and the how HR managers perceive and experience it. The aim of this study is to explore and understand stigma in terms of workplace practices, attitudes and policies as well as barriers to mental health support in Pakistani organizations. Using a qualitative narrative inquiry approach, 15 HR managers across Pakistan belonged to diversify industries were interviewed. The themes that emerged from the thematic analysis were: cultural misunderstanding of mental illness, fear of a damaged reputation and absence of organisational structures for wellbeing support. The results also give an indication that despite increasing global mental health awareness, stigma in the corporate sector of Pakistan appears to be firmly ingrained thus thwarting meaningful support for employees. This study adds to the literature by offering insights on a context that is overlooked and highlights the timely nature of targeted anti-stigma campaigns, and policy changes. Implications are articulated such as culturally relevant mental health programs and improved HR development. The author recommends that the corporate sector head, authorities and mental health professionals need to work together to develop inclusive and supportive workplace climates in Pakistan.

Keywords: mental health stigma, corporate Pakistan, HR managers, workplace mental health, qualitative research, organizational behavior, cultural stigma