A look at what organizations need to do to support mental health.
Depression, anxiety, and panic attacks (to name a few) are all common problems also faced in the workplace. In countries such as the UK, Canada, and the USA, mental health concerns are considered as valid reasons to take sick leaves, and rightly so, as the person suffering can feel debilitated and unable to function properly. However, in most parts of the world, this isn’t the case and individuals with mental health issues either end up faking another reason for their sick leave, utilize their annual leaves, or at worst, suppress their problems and feelings.
It is important to look at why this issue has still not been factored into employment laws globally and what can be done to combat it. The nature of mental health illnesses may not be easily seen or diagnosed as with physical issues, and there may be a fear from organizations that sick leaves could be abused and misused. Moreover, for an individual to obtain a mental health sick leave, they will need to visit specialists or psychologists which can also be very costly since most health insurance companies do not cover this. The lack of affordable health care when it comes to mental illnesses may drive people to ignore their problems, or self-diagnose and treat themselves. Therefore, it becomes a cycle of problems and the easiest way out might appear to be to just cover it all up.
However, it is not only the employment laws and health insurance schemes that need to change, but also people’s perceptions and awareness of mental health.
Unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to admitting any mental health problem, and so those suffering may not want to share what they might see as their weaknesses. An employee who takes a mental health sick leave would then also have to worry about how they are seen when they return to the office. Strict confidentiality policies need to be in place so that an employee is confident enough to ask for time off to take care of themselves. Without this, they will also have to worry about being ostracized when they return to work which would then cause further anxiety.
If organizations and employers spoke openly about mental health and provided a supportive environment for employees to share such issues, it would send a powerful message that it is alright to seek help. It would encourage employees to face their issues, be it just burn out from work overload where a couple of days would help reinvigorate them or a more serious problem that would need time and attention. Whatever is the cause, individuals need to feel confident enough to believe that it is just as important to manage their mental state as they would their physical health.
References:
https://hbr.org/2018/03/when-you-need-to-take-time-off-work-for-mental-health-reasons
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-40593256
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