Women believe that being ostracized at work can be as damaging as bullying.

Ernst & Young’s “Belonging Barometer” survey polled more than 1,000 employed adult Americans about how they define what makes them feel like they are included at work and what causes them to feel isolated. The survey found that a startling 61% of women believe that being excluded at work is a form of bullying.

That’s compared with 53% of men who disagree.

While the survey did not identify whether the exclusion was done on purpose or not, there’s little doubt that being left out of a meeting has a negative effect on someone’s professional career. “Several meetings can turn into lack of exposure to senior leaders and decision makers and less opportunities to show skills and lead bigger projects,” EY’s global diversity and inclusiveness officer Karyn Twaronite told Forbes. “These habits can add up and women can be given less opportunity for advancement and promotion and ultimately, less career-defining moments.”

And if the behavior is not confronted, there could be damaging effects on mental health. According to the EY survey, 28% of women reported feelings of sadness from being excluded. What’s more, 40% of men and women reported feeling physically alone, with millennials being the age group most likely to feel rejected (38%).

Research has shown that when people feel a sense of acceptance and belonging they are more motivated, productive and engaged and nearly four times more likely to give it their all and achieve their full potential.

And statistics prove that women in particular can’t afford to be left out of the board room: Already they hold just 5% of Fortune 500 CEO roles.

If you’re feeling excluded at work it’s important to identify the kind of behavior exhibited. There’s a big difference between a boss forgetting to invite you to a meeting once versus continuously being left out of important work events. And in more severe cases, being continuously undermined or disrespected for other reasons, experts say, is another issue.

“I think we feel it’s bullying when the exclusion feels harmful to us,” career coach Kathy Caprino told Moneyish. “All exclusion is not equal…Ask yourself, ‘are these discriminatory or bias reasons?’ and ‘what am I going to do about that?’ I don’t think we should ascribe to exclusion malice in all cases. We have to get the bottom of the type of it and make the decisions.”

And, she adds: “We have to take the reigns here if we want to create that connectivity. If women are being excluded at the table, in meetings, in decision making — it’s absolutely a suppression, whether it’s conscious or not.”

Here’s what to do if you feel you’re being excluded at work:

Seek support

If you feel left out of a group or clique at work, and it’s important to you to have support, start your own network.

“Belonging is finding people who share the same interests and values. When I look back at the jobs where I felt isolated, I could have changed that. I could have started a group — moms at work — or spearheaded a cause, or done something that would have built a network of people that I did feel connected to,” Caprino said, encouraging workers who feel ignored or isolated to take charge and recruit like minded people to join a project.

“Without building a powerful support community that will help you grow, you’ll severely limit your access to exciting opportunities,” Caprino added.

Be an extrovert when needed

Staying quiet will only enable exclusion, Caprino said. Even if you’re an introvert, she suggests taking small, but effective, measures to be noticed in professional situations, like a conference, meeting or panel.

“Whether they give you the microphone or not, it’s about raising your hand and making sure you’re heard. Often introverts will hold back. You’ve got to be the one sitting next to the president, you’ve got to be the one asking questions,” Caprino said.

Speak up

If you feel isolated at work, whether its being left out of a meeting or not heard in a conference, you must voice your concerns and be heard, even if you’re not invited to speak, Caprino urged.

If being outspoken is met with backlash, or a negative reaction from a boss or colleague, however, you may need to reassess how much your company truly values you so that your talents aren’t undermined or suppressed.

“If you do these things and it’s not met with success, you have maybe realize this is not a conducive environment for you,” Caprino explained.

If it becomes harassment

If you feel personally victimized or intentionally left out of a project, Caprino said that seeking council outside of the office may be necessary.

“Should you go to your boss? It depends if you feel they’re a part of the exclusionary practice. Some bosses are open, some are not,” Caprino advised adding: “Same with HR. If you can’t get help within the company, and ‘if it feels unethical, see a lawyer.’”