STIGMA AROUND MOOD DISORDERS IN THE WORKPLACES OF PAKISTAN: A SOCIO-CULTURAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Mood disorders, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, are among the leading causes of disability worldwide and pose significant challenges in the workplace. In the context of Pakistan, where mental health remains a deeply stigmatized and under-discussed issue, individuals experiencing mood disorders often face additional layers of discrimination and misunderstanding within professional environments. This research explores the multifaceted stigma surrounding mood disorders in Pakistani workplaces, drawing attention to how cultural, religious, and institutional dynamics intersect to shape perceptions and responses to mental illness. Through an in-depth review of academic literature, media discourse, and qualitative interviews with employees across various sectors, the study uncovers prevailing attitudes that frame mood disorders as signs of personal weakness, moral failure, or unreliability. These perceptions not only discourage affected individuals from disclosing their condition but also prevent organizations from implementing meaningful mental health policies or support systems. Fear of job insecurity, social isolation, and reputational damage compels many employees to suffer in silence, often leading to burnout, reduced productivity, and long-term psychological distress.

The study also examines the role of organizational culture, leadership attitudes, and the absence of mental health training in perpetuating stigma. It argues that efforts to address workplace mental health in Pakistan must go beyond awareness campaigns, and instead require structural changes including anti-discrimination legislation, confidential support services, and culturally informed interventions that respect local values while challenging harmful stereotypes. By highlighting the lived experiences of individuals with mood disorders and the institutional barriers they face, this research contributes to the growing body of literature on mental health and work in the Global South. It calls for a paradigm shift in how Pakistani workplaces conceptualize mental health from a taboo topic to a legitimate aspect of employee well-being and human rights.