How Workplace Harassment Affects Mental Health

Work isn’t just a place where we earn a living. We spend a huge part of our lives there. So, when the workplace itself becomes toxic, the impact can spill into our lives far beyond office walls. Workplace harassment isn’t always loud or obvious, but its effects can run deep, especially when it goes unaddressed. This is about more than awkward moments or occasional tension. It’s about the slow, steady damage it can do to a person’s emotional and psychological well-being. 

Read More: Creating Safe Workspaces: Addressing Harassment and Bullying

What Does Workplace Harassment Actually Look Like? 

It’s not just yelling or inappropriate jokes. It can be subtle, such as being left out of meetings, constantly undermining, or someone rolling their eyes every time you speak up. It can come in the form of whispered gossip, repeated “jokes” that hit too close to home, or that one manager who always has something negative to say, no matter how hard you work. Of course, it can also be more direct. Sexual harassment, racial slurs, threats, bullying—all of these fall under the umbrella. Whether it’s coming from a colleague, a boss, or even a client, the common thread is: it makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or targeted. And the worst part? It often builds slowly, which makes it easy to second-guess yourself. 

The Self-Doubt That Follows 

Most people don’t speak up right away when they’re being harassed. Many don’t even call it “harassment” at first. It starts with confusion and doubt: “Did that really happen?” or “Maybe I’m overreacting.” You might try to laugh it off, tell yourself it’s not worth the trouble, or just push through. But the discomfort doesn’t go away. Instead, it starts to grow. You dread going to work. You rehearse conversations in your head before walking into meetings. Your confidence starts to erode, and you find yourself questioning your value, your competence, and even your sanity. The emotional toll creeps in quietly but steadily. 

The Toll On Mental Health 

The psychological effects of workplace harassment are incredibly real and common. People often deal with: 

• Anxiety: Constant tension can leave you feeling like you’re walking on eggshells. Panic attacks, racing thoughts, and difficulty concentrating aren’t unusual.
• Depression: You might lose motivation, feel emotionally drained, or just stop caring about things that used to matter. 
• Insomnia: Harassment doesn’t stop at 5 p.m. Many people lie awake at night replaying moments from the day or dreading the next one. 
• Low self-esteem: Repeated criticism or being treated as less-than can lead you to believe you deserve it and internalise it. 
• Burnout: Emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and feeling like you have nothing left to give can all stem from harassment that’s gone unchecked. 

For some, it gets so bad that they experience symptoms similar to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), like flashbacks, avoidance, and emotional numbness. And even when they leave the toxic workplace, the mental scars can stick around. 

Read More: Toxic Workplaces: Signs, Impact and Solution

Why People Don’t Speak Up 

It’s easy to say, “Just report it.” But in reality, that’s the hardest thing to do. Many people stay silent because they’re afraid of losing their job, being labelled a troublemaker, or simply not being believed. HR may be more loyal to protecting the organisation than supporting employees. And honestly, filing a formal complaint takes a toll. It’s exhausting, and for those already struggling emotionally, it can feel like too much. So people stay quiet. And in that silence, the harassment continues. 

What Workplaces Should Be Doing But Often Aren’t

It’s not enough to make a policy on paper. Real change means creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up and confident that they’ll be heard. That means: 

• Clear, safe ways to report that don’t involve having to talk to the very person causing the problem. 
• Leaders who walk the talk, not just preach from a set manual.
• Ongoing education, not one-time training that everyone forgets by next week.
• Follow-through: When someone raises a concern, action needs to happen. 

Because when organisations protect harassers or sweep things under the rug, they’re telling everyone else that this behaviour is okay. 

If You’re Dealing With It, You’re Not Alone 

If any of this sounds familiar, please know that you are not overreacting. You are not imagining things. And you don’t deserve to feel unsafe or devalued at work. Here are some things that might help: 

• Write things down: Keep a personal record of dates, details, who was involved, and how it made you feel. It’s not just for proof, it’s also validation for yourself.
• Talk to someone: this could be a therapist, a trusted friend, or a mentor. Anyone who can remind you that you’re not crazy, and who can help you think through your next steps. 
• Learn your rights: You may have more protections than you think, depending on where you live or work. 
• Prioritise your mental health: Having a self-care day, unplugging after work, journaling, exercising, just breathing, etc. Do it. You deserve peace. 

And if it gets to the point where leaving is the healthiest option, that’s okay too.

Read More: 10 Tips for Maintaining a Positive Workplace Environment

The Bottom Line

Workplace harassment doesn’t have to be loud to be damaging. Sometimes it’s the quiet, repeated slights that hurt the most. The ones that wear you down little by little. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it should be normalised. And it doesn’t mean it’s okay. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. And no one should have to trade their mental health for a paycheck. 

FAQs

1. What is considered workplace harassment? 

Workplace harassment includes any unwelcome behaviour—verbal, physical, or emotional—that creates a hostile, intimidating, or abusive work environment. This can range from bullying and discrimination to sexual harassment or constant undermining. 

2. How does workplace harassment affect mental health? 

It can lead to anxiety, depression, insomnia, panic attacks, low self-esteem, and even symptoms similar to PTSD. Over time, it can cause emotional exhaustion and burnout. 

3. Why don’t more people report it? 

Fear of retaliation, job loss, not being believed, or feeling shame are all common reasons people stay silent. Many also feel hopeless if their organisation has a poor history of handling complaints. 

4. What should I do if I’m being harassed at work? 

Document everything, talk to someone you trust, know your rights, and report it through official channels if you feel safe doing so. Seeking support from a mental health professional is also strongly recommended. 

5. Can a workplace recover from a harassment culture? 

Yes, but it takes effort. Leadership must actively commit to change, enforce clear policies, hold harassers accountable, and rebuild trust through transparency and support.