Stress, anxiety, burnout on the job.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for employers across the country to take mental health seriously.

Some companies offered increased insurance benefits, employee assistance programs, or free therapy sessions.

But is it enough?

For some people living with mental illnesses, specifically depression and bipolar disorders,

the stigma of even revealing their disability continues to bring on the possibility of

discrimination at work or losing a job.

I'm Gustavo Ariano. You're listening to The Times, Essential News, from the LA Times.

It's Monday, February 27, 2023.

Today, how company mental health policies can be ineffective against the stigmas of mental health and mood disorders.

And a warning to our listeners, there will be mention of suicide.

L.A. Times business reporter Samantha Masunaga and our senior producer Denise Gedda, reported on this issue as part of an L Times mental health initiative called For Your Mind.

Denise and Samantha, welcome to Times.

Thanks for having me, Gustavo.

Thank you.

So what did the both of you find out about how the pandemic affected folks with mood disorders at their jobs?

What issues do they face at work?

So like you were saying earlier, the pandemic had really increased employers' willingness

and awareness of mental health in the workplace, but that didn't always extend to folks with

mood disorders who still face stigma and a lack of understanding as a whole in their workplaces.

In some cases, a person might show signs of bipolar

disorder that are sometimes missed in a fast-paced work environment. I spoke with Natasha Bowman,

...