As much as I'd just want to say a big yes and leave it there in response to the question, if workers should have days aside for them to take care of their mental health as we do have sick leave, I can't just give a vague yes. As one who has taken into consideration the power of mental health and how deadly it can be more than people think, I also know the tendencies of people to abuse such a privilege. At least, for the most part, those in my part of the world.
Even as it is with many people today and not just in my part of the world, there's always a tendency to play the system and abuse what was meant to help. It's a concern that's already eating deep into our work system. This isn't even an assumption, there's a level of certainty I have, in accordance with how people have abused other systems meant to benefit them that this one won't be different. But then, should mental health days be considered at work?
Even as I have those concerns, I have a high value for mental health. I do say that when it's mental, it's serious and probably twice as serious. Mental health should matter as physical health do. The former which could be deadlier is often treated with less concern than the latter. This is the gap our world needs to fix, especially in some parts of the world. As mental health issues can't really be seen and can be hidden, it has been well ignored in our world.
When we see a physically sick person, we know they're sick; no argument about that except if they're pretending. But when it's mental, it's not the same. Even when it's noticed that a person isn't doing well mentally, they're basically tapped on the shoulder and “encouraged” to get up and moving. If no physical pain or hurt is keeping them down, they're expected to push through. And before we push blame on others, we've been somehow guilty in this too.
We need to have a shift in our mentality, perception and sensitivity to mental health concerns. And in the workplace, having days set aside for this won't be bad. Workers can have these days for themselves to relieve stress, ease their brains and take care of their mental health. Having people work daily; getting tasks done, meeting deadlines, overtime, and then family and personal concerns are a lot to affect their mental health.
However, we can't be oblivious to how this system can be abused as I've mentioned already. So then, measures need to be put in place regarding that. I'll also say that mental health should be encouraged by having awareness sessions for workers. Once or twice a week will do, and attendance should be made compulsory. Maybe a professional can come around and give them in-depth knowledge about this concern that's highly dangerous yet highly ignored.
A consultant can be made available, who the workers will meet and he/she will report to the organisation about the meetings. Where the organisation might not be able to provide consultancy services, workers can be allowed to take care of their mental health through knowledge gained from the sessions, and when back they'll report and be evaluated to ascertain their judicious use of that break. Whatever good measures that can also help should be applied.
Image is AI generated.
