People are taking mental health leave and it's helping

Individuals are increasingly taking leaves of absence from work to prioritize their mental well-being , a concept previously unknown to many . Now, three such individuals are opening up about their journeys and offering advice on how to discuss the need for mental health leaves with employers and colleagues. Carolina Lasso faced her first panic attack during a critical moment at work, just as she was set to present in a company-wide meeting.

Usually confident in highlighting her marketing team's achievements, she suddenly found herself unable to speak. After enduring a stressful cross-country relocation and a divorce , Lasso was advised by her boss to consider taking a mental health leave, something she hadn't thought possible, according to the Associated Press. Despite worries about how her team might view her and potential impacts on her career, Lasso decided to take the necessary time off to recover.



Now 43, Lasso reflects with gratitude on her decision: "I'm thankful for that opportunity to take the time to heal." She recalls the intense episode vividly: "I felt a knot in my throat. My head, it felt like it was inside a bubble.

I couldn't hear, I couldn't see, and it felt like an eternity. It was just a few seconds, but it was so profound, and in a way earth-shattering to me." Lasso also speaks on the guilt associated with taking mental health leave, noting that "there is some extra weight that we carry on our shoulders, as if it had been our fault.

" Despite potential repercussions, a growing number of adults are recognizing the need to step away from work commitments to address emotional or mental health concerns - an idea that more employers are starting to embrace. ComPsych Corp., a company specializing in employee mental health programs and absence management services, is urging its corporate clients to prioritize employee wellness to prevent burnout and establish protocols for those requiring time off.

Jennifer Birdsall, ComPsych's senior clinical director, commented: "Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, collectively we've just been in this constant state of turmoil." She further noted: "We just have had this barrage of change and uncertainty." Alight, a Chicago-based tech firm that handles leaves and benefits for large employers, has found that depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder are the top reasons employees have taken mental health leaves over the past two years.

The length of a mental health leave can range from several weeks to months. Some workers may be allowed to reduce their hours or take short breaks as needed, a strategy referred to as "intermittent leave." In the U.

S., companies with a workforce of 50 or more are generally governed by the Family and Medical Leave Act, which entitles employees with serious health conditions to take either paid or unpaid leave for a period of up to 12 weeks, though the specifics can vary based on state and local laws. Employers may require workers to exhaust their sick days or accrued vacation time to maintain income during their leave.

For extended absences, staff may resort to short-term disability plans if such benefits are offered by their employer. Lasso's six-month leave included therapy and a journey to India for additional treatment. She made her way back to her job but decided to leave the company after another year, eventually finding her passion in creating a business focused on fostering kinder work environments.

Embracing a mental health break is "not only OK, but it can really unlock new possibilities once we have the time to do the work - therapy, medication, whatever it is - and have enough distance from work to be able to reconnect with ourselves," Lasso remarked. The stigma surrounding mental health often prevents people from seeking assistance or even contemplating taking time off. Newton Cheng, who leads Google's health and performance initiatives, is committed to breaking down these stigmas by sharing his own experiences with mental health challenges.

During a pandemic-time meeting when a top executive urged staff to open up about their feelings, Cheng experienced a profound vulnerability. As his turn arrived, he found himself unexpectedly breaking down in tears. Cheng shared the pressure he felt trying to live up to his own fatherly expectations and his unclear path toward betterment, revealing: "It was just totally horrifying to me because, one, I had just cried in front of my coworkers and I was definitely taught as a professional - and as a man - you do not do that.

" He also mentioned: "And then two, I had never really articulated and said out loud those words. I hadn't even allowed myself to think that. But now they're out there and I had to face them.

" After this emotional moment at work, Cheng saw a change as his colleagues began opening up about their struggles too. However, things took a darker turn by February 2021, when Cheng confessed to being gripped by a paralyzing fear that kept him in bed. A therapist diagnosed him with symptoms indicative of severe depression and anxiety, prompting Cheng to confront the gravity of his mental health challenges.

Realizing the depth of his struggle, he thought: "I just realized, 'I'm struggling a lot and this goes pretty deep. I don't think I can keep just putting duct tape on this. I probably need to take some leave,'" recalling his decision-making process.

Cheng took a bold step in promoting mental health awareness by announcing his decision to take a mental health leave in front of 200 people at a conference. His openness didn't lead to discomfort; instead, it encouraged others to open up about their own struggles. "It was like a fireworks show," Cheng recounted.

"They're like, 'Wow, I can't believe he did that.' Then they forgot about me. But the tone was set.

It was like 'Oh, this is what we're doing. Let me talk about what's going on with me, too.'".

Rosalie Mae, while navigating her final year at college and working full-time, found herself buried under stress, often unable to get out of bed and frequently dissolving into tears. Yet she felt the need "to keep it together" for fear of burdening her colleagues at the University of Utah bookstore where she worked as an accounting clerk. Her distress culminated in a call to a suicide hotline.

"Once it reached that point, I knew, especially at the urging of my husband, we need to do something more," shared the 24 year old Mae. Mae ultimately chose to take a five-week leave from work to focus on her mental health. She now encourages others facing similar challenges to consider taking time off.

"Taking a mental health leave is not necessarily a cure-all, but it is important to give yourself a break and allow yourself to regroup, make a plan of how to proceed and take the steps to work towards feeling better," she suggests. Before broaching the topic of mental health leave with a supervisor, Cheng emphasizes the importance of evaluating the workplace atmosphere and the strength of your professional relationships. He recalled his own decision, saying, "For my health and well-being, and the sake of my family and what's best for the business, the least risky thing for me to do is to go on leave soon.

" Cheng also advises those expecting less sympathetic reactions to keep it straightforward: "I need to go on medical leave. I need time to recover." Furthermore, individuals are not legally or ethically required to share the details of their absence with all colleagues.

Seth Turner, co-founder of AbsenceSoft, made it clear that your coworkers don't have a right to know every detail of your situation. "Your coworkers don't need to know why," he stated. "They just need to know, 'I'm going to be here at this time, and I'm going to be gone at this time, and I'll be back.

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