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Original poster

Taking a mental health day

11 replies

cortisolqueen · 17/10/2022 16:42

What do you understand "taking a mental day" to mean and should this be a sick day or a day of annual leave?

Trying to get some different opinions on this.

Is mental health as important as physical health? Should we all just keep going and attend work, even if we're in a bad place mentally? Or is it justified to take some time out when mental health is teetering on the brink/you're feeling overwhelmed with everything?

Thanks

OP posts:
HippeePrincess · 17/10/2022 16:43

Annual leave, unless acutely unwell mentally

cheeseislife8 · 17/10/2022 16:44

For myself, I think it's justified if you really need it. I'll occasionally book a couple of days to turn into a long weekend to get more of a break when it gets a bit much. Though if it's more of an emergency, a lot of employers are taking mental health more seriously now.
Have you a policy at your company? Could you ask?

Original poster
cortisolqueen · 17/10/2022 17:00

I'm not sure what the policy is at my place, I'll have to look it up.

I'm just thinking that, for example, crippling anxiety/being on the brink of becoming depressed, it's better to take a few days off to try to deal with it/get help.

A few years back I didn't take a break and ended up being signed off for 8 weeks. I'm wondering if an earlier break/pause would have prevented that.

I understand people who say that time off like this should be annual leave in the majority of cases, but what about working parents with no outside help, who have to use all their holiday for school holidays (in the absence of holiday clubs)? In some cases this pressure could lead to further MH issues if you're already feeling vulnerable.

OP posts:
2ManyPjs · 17/10/2022 17:04

If you're taking a mental health day off then you are taking a day off because you are mentally unwell. Which is therefore sick leave.

And yes, mental health is as important as physical health.

2ManyPjs · 17/10/2022 17:05

cortisolqueen · 17/10/2022 17:00

I'm not sure what the policy is at my place, I'll have to look it up.

I'm just thinking that, for example, crippling anxiety/being on the brink of becoming depressed, it's better to take a few days off to try to deal with it/get help.

A few years back I didn't take a break and ended up being signed off for 8 weeks. I'm wondering if an earlier break/pause would have prevented that.

I understand people who say that time off like this should be annual leave in the majority of cases, but what about working parents with no outside help, who have to use all their holiday for school holidays (in the absence of holiday clubs)? In some cases this pressure could lead to further MH issues if you're already feeling vulnerable.

If you have "crippling anxiety" then I would class that as in need of sick leave.

Megifer · 17/10/2022 17:09

Immediate need for time off due to not being able to get up/face the day/anxiety etc - sick as cant be planned for

Feeling like you need a bit of a break soon - annual leave as it can be planned for

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 17/10/2022 17:11

Megifer · 17/10/2022 17:09

Immediate need for time off due to not being able to get up/face the day/anxiety etc - sick as cant be planned for

Feeling like you need a bit of a break soon - annual leave as it can be planned for

Yes, I agree with this.

2ManyPjs · 17/10/2022 17:14

@Megifer Yes, I agree with this.

LimpBiskit · 17/10/2022 17:21

If you're unwell, it's sick leave. If you are having a preventative day to stop your mental health from deteriorating, then it's annual leave.

PinkFrogss · 17/10/2022 17:22

Depends - Planning to use a day to work on your mental health or do activities that will benefit it - annual leave. Taking a day off because your mental health is too bad to work - sickness

smileandsing · 17/10/2022 17:27

Others are right, too unwell to work for any reason; take time off sick, need a short break to get back on track, take annual leave.
Unless your workplace have a policy for allowing employees to take 'mental health days' I would not term it as such, it could make you sound flaky and a bit of a snowflake, however unfair that seems.
I hope you feel better soon

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