At this year’s Women in Statistics and Data Science Conference, Arinjita Bhattacharyya of Merck and Madumita (Bonnie) Ghosh-Dastidar of RAND Corporation organized a panel titled “Invisible and Mental Health Disability in Statistics and Related Diverse Fields.”
The panel discussed the importance of raising awareness and fostering empathy to cultivate more inclusive environments, in which individuals feel safe to disclose their disabilities and request appropriate support. Panelists highlighted that mental health conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety may qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act if they significantly limit one or more major life activities. The primary protections provided by the law include the following:
- Protection against discrimination
- Access to reasonable accommodations (e.g., flexible schedules, quiet workspaces, therapy breaks)
- Confidentiality regarding mental health information
- Equal access to education, housing, employment, and public services
The conversation also addressed navigating careers in statistics and related fields. Topics included employer-employee relationships, benefits, strategies for approaching managers, fostering open communication, support from management and teams, and workplace discrimination.
Reflecting on the session, Bhattacharyya said, “As a member of the ASA Committee on Statistics and Disability, it was an honor for me to organize with Bonnie Ghosh-Dastidar and chair this panel. As someone who personally experiences mental health challenges, I believe this session at least tried to provide valuable information to many others like me who are navigating their careers while ensuring their well-being, having the confidence and courage to speak up, and asking for needed support and accommodations.”
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