Mental Health Disclosure in Social Work Education: Opportunities and Discrimination

Disclosures of lived experience with mental health conditions by faculty and students in social work education programs have the potential to increase knowledge about mental health conditions, dispel myths, and possibly improve future practice with individuals living with these conditions. There is minimal research about programs’ practices regarding student disclosure or about faculty disclosure decisions. Informed by an antioppression framework, this exploratory study used an online survey of deans and directors, Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work coordinators, and field education coordinators of Counsel on Social Work Education–accredited programs (N = 320). We asked: (a) under what circumstances respondents recommend to students that they disclose and not disclose their conditions to class or field instructors, and (b) for those with mental health conditions, what factors influence their workplace disclosure decisions. Findings include that some respondents prioritize student preferences and recognize multiple benefits of disclosure, but many place constraints on student disclosure, consider disclosure unprofessional, or accept myths about people with mental health conditions. Faculty make personal workplace disclosure decisions based on trust and relevance. Implications for welcoming students and faculty with mental health conditions include recognizing potential benefits of disclosure and addressing mental illness discrimination in academia and field.