Depression, Work and the Weight of Stigma
Finding Your Way Forward
New research from Bupa shows that two-thirds of people who have experienced depression have taken time off work. For many, this pause is essential for recovery. But behind that decision often sits a heavy burden - fear of judgement, stigma and the impact on careers.
More than half of those surveyed said they worried about returning to work after their absence. Concerns ranged from letting colleagues down, to fears of not being believed, to worries about stalled promotions and lost income.
As a coach, I see a painful paradox here: people know they need to step back in order to heal, yet the fear of how that choice will be perceived can create almost as much anxiety as the depression itself.
Why This Matters
Depression doesn’t happen in isolation. It affects how we think, how we relate, how we work and how we recover. But here’s the truth: stepping back isn’t a weakness - it’s wisdom. It’s the same principle as pausing in coaching - allowing space for reflection, repair and growth.
The stigma people fear says more about the culture of workplaces than it does about the individuals experiencing depression. Change begins when we open conversations, model compassion and reframe rest and recovery as vital investments in long-term resilience.
A Coaching Perspective: Reframing the Narrative
If you are someone navigating depression and work, here are a few reflections to help you reframe and move forward:
1. From letting people down → to leading by example.
Taking time off for mental health shows courage. It sets a precedent for others that it’s okay to put wellbeing first. That’s leadership in action.
2. From fear of not being believed → to knowing your truth.
You don’t need to justify your lived experience. Depression is real. Your healing doesn’t need validation from others to be valid.
3. From career damage → to career sustainability.
Burnout and breakdown don’t build successful careers. Rest, recovery and resilience do. Pausing now might be the thing that allows you to thrive later.
Supporting Others Through It
Bupa’s Inside Health campaign offers five powerful ways to support people living with depression: listen without judgement, educate yourself, offer practical help, be patient and encourage professional support. As coaches, friends, colleagues or leaders, these principles can guide us to create safer, kinder spaces for healing.
Finding Your Way Forward
If you are at the point where you’re stepping back, or even just considering it, remember this: healing is not selfish. The work will wait. The world will wait. Your health cannot.
Use this season to ask yourself the bigger coaching questions:
What do I need right now?
How do I want to return - not just to work, but to life?
What boundaries or changes will help me sustain my wellbeing in the future?
Taking time off doesn’t diminish your worth. It’s a step toward reclaiming your strength. And when you come back, you may find that the person who returns is wiser, more grounded and more aligned with what truly matters.
Because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed - but today, you have the choice to care for yourself. And that choice is powerful.