Rethinking mental health days: a reality check for the corporate world

“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” — Jiddu Krishnamurti

Disclaimer: While I am not a psychologist, the topic of mental health holds significant importance for many individuals I care about deeply. It is with a sense of empathy and engagement that I explore this complex and crucial subject matter.

How many of us know colleagues or friends who’ve been driven to the edge, necessitating a mental health sabbatical? My count stands at eleven, encompassing those in my close circle and their acquaintances. As the holiday season approaches, my awareness of this issue intensifies, especially regarding how those around me are managing. This heightened sensitivity was further ignited by a recent visit to Starbucks. Amidst the coffee grinders’ buzz and the casual chatter, I overheard a conversation between two women that struck a chord.

Their discussion centered on the extreme measures they had to resort to in order to extend their much-needed mental health leave from a toxic work environment — resorting to the pretense of taking “depression and…