Workers in Antigua and Barbuda should be able to speak as openly about their mental state as they do about physical ailments, counsellor and life coach Harriet Warner told a forum on workplace stress and mental health.

Addressing delegates at the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) conference, Warner drew a clear line between mental health —a general state of well-being—and mental illness, which involves conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance misuse that impair daily life. She said failing to understand this difference has allowed stigma to persist, preventing many from seeking support.

Warner noted that employees often share without hesitation that they have high blood pressure or asthma, but remain silent about emotional struggles. This reluctance, she warned, deepens isolation and can worsen illness.

Her presentation also pointed to emerging pressures in the workplace, including unresolved conflicts, intergenerational tensions, and the growing impact of substance misuse among young people. These, she argued, demand both personal responsibility and organisational commitment if workplaces are to become healthier and more productive.

She cited the Pan American Health Organization’s blueprint for mental health transformation, which calls on governments and employers to embed mental wellness into workforce development. According to Warner, Antigua and Barbuda must align with these standards to create safer, more supportive work environments.

Delegates were urged to foster open dialogue, challenge cultural taboos, and provide safe spaces where employees can discuss stress and mental strain without fear of judgement. Only then, Warner said, can the country truly treat mental health with the same seriousness as physical health.