Evaluating Mental Health Communication Practices In Ghanaian Workplaces Through The Lens Of Participatory Communication

Abstract

This study examined workplace mental health communication in a Ghanaian Financial Technology (FinTech) organisation and explored how employees disclose, negotiate, and seek support for psychological concerns. Although mental health is increasingly recognised as a public health and development issue in Ghana, communication about it in workplaces remains limited, informal, and shaped by stigma, confidentiality concerns, and organisational culture. Guided by Communication Privacy Management Theory and grounded in a participatory communication orientation, the study analysed how employees manage privacy boundaries, assess risks, and decide whether to disclose distress within professional settings. The study addressed four objectives: to examine employees’ perceptions of existing mental health communication practices, assess gender differences in communication experiences, identify preferred communication approaches, and explore how development communication strategies can inform inclusive workplace mental health policies. The research adopted an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. A quantitative survey of fifty employees provided an overview of existing communication practices, perceptions of stigma, disclosure comfort, and preferred support channels. This was followed by five in-depth qualitative interviews that explored the experiences, reasoning, and cultural dynamics underlying the patterns identified in the survey. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, allowing for integration of both numerical trends and lived experiences. The findings revealed that while employees acknowledge the importance of mental health, formal communication channels are underdeveloped. Many employees were unsure about policies, focal persons, and available support. Fear of judgement, breach of confidentiality, and potential career consequences led most respondents to prefer peer-based communication over engagement with managers or HR personnel. The study also found that gender does not significantly shape communication patterns; instead, organisational culture, trust, and leadership behaviour strongly influence disclosure decisions. Employees expressed a desire for participatory communication spaces, reasonable work adjustments, and clear, confidential pathways for support. The study concludes that improving workplace mental health communication in Ghana requires intentional, structured, and participatory systems that build trust, enhance confidentiality, and normalise dialogue. Recommendations include policy development, managerial training, peer-support structures, and national guidelines to strengthen psychological safety in organisations.