How A Lack Of Diversity Impacts Mental Health And Well-Being
When we speak about the need for more diversity within organisations we often focus on the macro issues. Whether it’s the need to improve an organisations brand image by having greater representation at senior levels, or the perceived profitability of having a more diverse workforce, we have framed this discourse, as one primarily concerned with materially incentivising organisations to do what is, frankly, the morally conscious thing to do.
It would seem, that as a society, we have neglected to give necessary attention to the human side of this discussion, and the individual impact that a lack of diversity can have on people who fall into the minority. So, to mark World Day for Mental Health, I would like to share my thoughts and experiences on how a lack of diversity can impact the mental health and wellbeing of people who often find themselves in rooms where they are the odd ones out.
Maslow was one of the first to identify the feeling of belonging and a sense of community as fundamental psychological human needs. Being part of a community, gives us a sense of identity and provides a support network of people who we can trust, seek counsel from and feel protected by. Without a sense of belonging, people are more likely to feel less secure and safe in the spaces they occupy. For some, the impacts of this may be minute, whilst for others surviving in these sorts of environments can be the source of significant mental and emotional stress.
When you find yourself, time and time again, in rooms where you are the odd one out, it reinforces this idea that you don’t belong. Reflexively, you start making yourself smaller than you usually would, because your presence begins to feel like a nuisance. You second guess yourself, question your abilities and fall prey to negative cycles of self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
When you compound this, with the fact that much of our progress and success in the modern working world is dependent on networks and your ability to build strong relationships, it’s clear to see why so many people from minority backgrounds experience slower routes to promotion and disparity in pay.
To combat this however, people from minority backgrounds have become adept in what I like to call “performative code switching”. Dissimilar to ad-hoc code switching, because this is a form of code switching that you maintain for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, working in overdrive to make a good impression. It’s an attempt to compensate for being different, to disprove biases projected onto you through no fault of your own. The embodiment of your parents words of wisdom that “you will have to work twice as hard”.
When you expend such significant amounts energy navigating spaces as a cultural outsider - it’s very easy to end up feeling emotionally drained and this, unfortunately, is where the mental burden begins to take hold. Our bodies are wonderfully created things, and so where we are able to lie to others, we cannot lie to ourselves. Our bodies have their own ways of telling us we are in environments that are not conducive to our mental health. For me, it was a growing feeling of dread and anxiety during my daily commute, a strange thudding in my chest that came out of nowhere.
When you feel like this, you aren’t able to bring your best self to work. Although resilience is a valuable skill to have, ploughing on against the protests of your body, could do you more damage in the long run. So, if you can relate to any of the above, and have ever found yourself hyperventilating in toilet cubicles or subconsciously shedding a solitary tear at your desk, I encourage you to speak up and take time to recover. It’s more common than you think. Nevertheless, it is not something you should accept as a necessary sacrifice to gain a seat at the table.
And for those of you who hold positions of influence within an organisation, I encourage you to reset your perspectives on the need for diversity and belonging. Set about making your workplace one where all people can bring their whole selves to work without fear of judgement or exclusion. Not just because it will drive profitability, or improve the value add to clients, but because by not doing so, you do your employees a disservice and leave them to carry an unfair and unsustainable burden at the detriment to their health.
Mental health is an increasingly pervasive issue within our society, and it is something that anyone, from any background, can fall victim to. However we should all be mindful of the triggers and exacerbators of emotional and mental stress, and do what we can to look out for others, and most importantly take the time to be kind and forgiving to ourselves.