According to the study The Invisible Challenge: Mental Health at Work by Laborum, Latin America’s leading employment app, and Carolina Borrachia of Combo, a leading employer branding strategy firm, 54% of workers in Chile report having or having had a mental health diagnosis. Among the diagnoses mentioned, 33% report generalized anxiety disorder; 14% social anxiety disorder; another 14% major depressive disorder; and 9% other mental health issues.

At the regional level, Chile shows the highest percentage of mental health diagnoses, followed by Argentina (51%), Ecuador (46%), Panama (43%), and Peru (40%).

In Chile, 54% of workers state that their organizations have no policies to support mental health; 38% say they do not know; and only 9% affirm that such policies exist.

“Companies only put up posters with motivational phrases, but when someone actually needs help, problems and stigmatization begin, putting job continuity at risk,” said one study participant.

Across the region, the percentage of organizations with mental health policies is similarly low: Peru (11%), Panama (8%), Ecuador (5%), and Argentina (4%).

Regarding wellness programs, the trend is also discouraging. Seventy percent of workers in Chile say their organization has no such practices. Among the companies that do, the most common initiatives are: mental health training (8%); access to a gym (7%); a hotline to talk (6%); and availability of psychologists (4%). Another 13% mentioned different types of measures.

The negative regional trend continues: In Argentina, 78% of workers say their organizations lack such programs; in Panama, 72%; in Ecuador, 71%; and in Peru, 62%.

“Mental health in the workplace remains a taboo topic. In most organizations, it is not addressed, it is avoided, it is silenced. Fifty-four percent of workers report having a mental health diagnosis, yet only 9% work in organizations with support policies for these cases. The role of organizations is critical. We must create spaces where differences and authenticity are valued. People need to feel free to be themselves and bring their perspective. Creativity, problem-solving, and new ideas cannot thrive in an environment of censorship and silence,” said Diego Tala, Director of Laborum.cl at Jobint.

“Listening to the voices of more than 4,800 people in the workplace—48% of whom reported having experienced at least one mental health diagnosis—is an enormous opportunity to take the next step toward workplace well-being. We have the responsibility to ensure that every person feels included, cared for, and valued, even when they are not at their best,” said Carolina Borrachia, Founder and Director of Combo Latam.

The Invisible Challenge: Mental Health at Work is an exploratory study on mental health and neurodiversity among workers in Latin America, conducted by Laborum and Combo. The research analyzes how mental health diagnoses impact workers’ professional experience and seeks to identify patterns of exclusion, stigma, burnout, and organizational support responses. The survey included 4,823 participants: 977 from Chile, 1,257 from Argentina, 758 from Ecuador, 536 from Panama, 595 from Peru, and 700 from other Latin American countries.

Half of Workers in Chile Report Feeling Fear After Their Diagnosis

The predominant emotions associated with diagnoses are fear and sadness. Forty-seven percent of workers in Latin America reported feeling fear upon receiving their diagnosis, and 45% reported sadness.

In Chile, 50% said they felt fear upon receiving their mental health diagnosis; 48% felt sadness; 20% reported other feelings; 18% indifference; and 10% shock. Only 7% felt calm, and just 1% felt relieved.

Nearly 6 in 10 Workers in Chile Did Not Share Their Diagnosis with Their Boss

Fifty-nine percent of workers said they did not share their diagnosis with their boss, compared to 41% who did. Regarding communication with the HR department, the trend was even higher: 73% said they did not inform HR about their diagnosis.

This tendency not to share mental health diagnoses with managers is consistent across the region: Peru (75%), Panama (72%), Ecuador (67%), and Argentina (61%).

The same holds true for HR departments: Peru (80%), Panama (77%), Argentina (74%), and Ecuador (72%).

Among those who did share their condition with leaders or HR specialists, 41% said the company did nothing in response; 22% said the organization offered support; another 22% reported being dismissed later on; 12% said they were treated differently afterward; and another 12% mentioned other situations.

One participant noted: “There should be support. Managers should receive training on this issue. Many think they can overload employees without recognizing the work they have already done.”

Do Workers Believe Their Organizations Care About Their Mental Health?

In Chile, 82% of workers say no—the highest percentage in the region alongside Argentina.

In the rest of the region, the perception is similar but slightly lower: Panama (77%); Peru (67%); and Ecuador (60%).

7 in 10 Workers in Argentina Believe a Mental Health Diagnosis Is a Social Stigma

Seventy-two percent of workers believe having a mental health disorder is a social stigma. This perception can reinforce the fear of discussing the issue and make seeking help more difficult.

Across Latin America, the percentage is even higher: 78% consider it a stigma. The conversation on mental health has advanced, but prejudice continues to shape the experience of millions of people.

Nearly Half of Workers in Chile Have Missed Work Due to Burnout

What about burnout? In Chile, 49% of workers reported having had to miss work at some point due to exhaustion or burnout.

“Work should not drain you to the point of causing mental health problems. There should be balance,” said one study participant.

Chile leads the region in this regard, followed by Panama (46%), Argentina (37%), Ecuador (27%), and Peru (26%).

When asked about the traits of the most committed employees, 47% of workers said they go beyond what is required; 44% said they are always available; and 42% said they never miss work.

Seventy-eight percent of workers believe that achieving career success requires sacrificing personal time, while only 22% believe it does not. In the same vein, 56% reported thinking about work after hours.

Nearly 7 in 10 Workers Have Trouble Sleeping

What is workers’ relationship with rest? Sixty-six percent of workers in Chile said they sleep between four and seven hours—the highest percentage in the region after Argentina (67%). This is part of a regional trend: Panama (61%), Peru (60%), and Ecuador (56%).

In Chile, only 28% of workers sleep enough (eight hours). Three percent reported sleeping more than eight hours, and another 3% reported sleeping between one and three hours.

74% of Workers Say Their Mental Health Deteriorated Because of Their Bosses

Seventy-four percent of workers said their mental health deteriorated due to their relationship with a manager. Regarding relationships with colleagues, 51% identified them as a cause of declining mental health.

Chile leads, alongside Argentina, in the percentage of workers reporting deterioration of mental health caused by managers, surpassing Panama (69%), Ecuador (59%), and Peru (56%). Regarding the impact of co-worker relationships, Argentina ranks highest (53%), followed by Chile (51%), Panama (47%), Ecuador (43%), and Peru (39%).

Photo of Marcel Strauß in Unsplash