Mental health and work: why Italian employees remain silent

The debate about mental health in the workplace has grown in recent years, but the numbers reveal a reality still marked by silence.Unobravo's survey reveals that in Italy there is a strong stigma attached to psychological distress : employees, while recognizing the importance of well-being, often avoid discussing it with their superiors for fear of career consequences.

The main data of the survey

According to the report, the picture is clear:

• Only 33.5% of workers feel comfortable talking about mental health with their boss;
• 51.1% fear that doing so could have a negative impact on their career path;
• 84.7% consider psychological disorders the most difficult condition to disclose, more so than a physical illness;
• Among the least shared problems are depression (46.1%) and stress or burnout (41%).

These data show how mental distress, though widespread, remains hidden. In September in particular, returning from vacation becomes a critical moment: approximately one in four workers fears burnout or a sense of personal failure. Younger age groups, between 20 and 24, report being the most vulnerable, overwhelmed by work and financial pressures, but also by a strong sense of comparison with others.

Fears and silences

Why do workers choose silence? The reasons are multiple and often intertwined. A quarter of those interviewed distrust their managers, convinced they don't understand or care about mental health. Nearly 24% fear appearing weak or unprofessional, while 19% fear direct repercussions on their careers or job security. Added to this is the lack of a context that truly encourages dialogue in many workplaces, and the result is that distress remains invisible , growing unnoticed until it erupts into more serious forms.

When malaise becomes resignation

The consequences are tangible. More than 60% of workers reported experiencing at least one episode of burnout, while nearly 20% left a job due to stress or psychological issues. The phenomenon is more widespread among those who work remotely: 28% of them left their job to protect their mental health. Gender differences are also significant: women are more likely to consider or implement a job change to escape stress.

What workers ask of companies

While the problem is widespread, there are still calls for solutions. The survey highlights four key priorities:

1. Training managers to make them aware and capable of managing sensitive conversations about mental health (46.3%);
2. Corporate initiatives dedicated to psychological well-being, such as structured programs and moments of discussion (31.3%);
3. Anonymous support channels , able to guarantee confidentiality to those who need help (15.5%);
4. Greater transparency and visibility into available resources, which 66.4% of employees currently know little about.

These are concrete measures that, if adopted, could transform stigma into shared awareness and reduce the risk of burnout and dropout.

Towards a new corporate culture

Overcoming stigma means building a more humane and inclusive work environment. Companies have a duty to make psychological support visible , train managers to listen, and introduce tools that foster dialogue. Creating an empathetic and open culture means recognizing employees as people, not just as productive resources.

If company policies remain on paper, the data will continue to speak of silence, stress, and resignations. But if we choose a concrete path, work can once again become a place of shared growth and well-being.

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