What every worker should know about mental health days

Australians have a bit of a stigma about "sickies". However, taking mental health days when you need them could save the economy millions in the long run.

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Australians have a bit of a stigma about "sickies". However, taking mental health days when you need them could save the economy millions in the long run.

Have you ever called in sick for work and instead of saying you needed a mental health day, you’ve lied and told your boss you had something like a migraine?

The truth is often that sometimes complaining of a physical ailment can feel a lot easier than admitting you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Maybe work has been flat out lately.

Or maybe you’re suffering from depression or anxiety. If that’s the case, you’re not alone and it’s time business leaders start talking more about it. In fact, according to data from the Medibank Better Health Index, a quarter of Australians surveyed experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives. It shows why, now more than ever, it’s important to destigmatize mental health issues in the workplace.

Cases of depression and anxiety are increasing

The data indicated the incidence of those Australians surveyed living with conditions like depression or anxiety has increased by 6.7 per cent since 2011.

Lana Hall, a psychologist from Sage & Sound in Brisbane, agrees people are generally more stressed than ever before. While it can be caused by a number of factors, she says it commonly occurs when people feel overwhelmed and unable to deliver on the demands placed on them. A workplace can exacerbate this stress.

“If we think of a society when everyone’s connected to notifications on their phone, you’re constantly in demand. Then, with social media, there’s the constant feeling of a need to catch up. You see people doing things and going places and you feel left behind,” she explains.

“If you think about physical health - like vomiting or the flu - you know you can’t come to work and you know that spending the day in bed will help you recover. With mental health - if you’re not productive, if you’re making mistakes that will cost you and your employer time and money - you can also use sick days as a tool to help you recover,” says Hall.

She says sometimes you might need to hit pause on your life.

For some people, getting your mental health back on track might be as simple as solid sleep or a break from technology. Meantime, others might need to get on top of their life admin so they feel less overwhelmed, or do something they love like art practice or baking to help them feel positive.

Workplace evolution is a key development

According to Medibank’s Group Executive of People and Culture, Kylie Bishop, “organisations are a reflection of the communities we live in… and mental health issues continue to increase in society”.

Many factors can have an impact on mental health, and the workplace is undoubtedly one of them. A recent Galaxy Research poll, conducted in partnership with Medibank, indicated that only 29 per cent of Australian workers surveyed have access to any type of mental health program in their workplace. Where these are provided, they typically focus on mental health and resilience coaching or classes pertaining to stress, anxiety or sleep.

Ms Bishop says the culture around mental health is really starting to shift and that businesses are recognising the importance of investing in their employees.

“Mental health issues are unique - one person’s experience is not the same as the next - so we provide a range of health and wellbeing options to support employees,” she says. This might include things like volunteering days, counselling services or social interest and physical activity groups.

“I also strongly believe that flexible working arrangements are a huge part of helping to support those with mental health challenges.”

Full-time employees are entitled to 10 days per year

According to the National Employment Standards, full-time employees are entitled to 10 sick days each year (sometimes called personal/carer’s leave). This is not just for the days when you’re physically ill and can’t possibly leave the house.

Safe Work Australia says work-related mental health conditions are also known as “psychological injuries” and they are a major concern in Australian workplaces. The numbers are concerning. About 60 per cent of mental disorder claims are awarded to workers aged 40 and over. Meantime, workers with severe depression take 20 times more sick days per month.

Each year, approximately 7200 Australian workers are compensated for work-related mental health conditions. This equates to about six per cent of all workers’ compensation claims and costs approximately $543 million. It’s possible the cost to workplaces could be significantly reduced by recognising and responding to mental health issues earlier.

Don't be afraid to seek help

There are a lot of things workers should keep in mind about their entitlements around mental health days. Hall says if you’re thinking of taking one, it’s important to think about specific activities that will alleviate your stress - whether that’s tackling the washing, going for a long bush walk or simply sleeping in - and pursuing those activities strategically.

“I think people should be confident in taking them when they can justify it. If you know what you need to do to feel better, and you can come back more energised and more productive, it will prove to everyone that mental health days are worth taking,” she says.

If you would like professional help, you can also ask your doctor about the Medicare mental health plan, which may entitle you to up to 10 sessions with a mental health professional. It’s worth noting that many corporate workplaces now offer free and confidential counselling services for employees.

There are also several non-profit organisations offering over-the-phone support, such as Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), which focuses on depression and anxiety, and Lifeline (13 11 14), which focuses on crisis support and suicide prevention. Please contact them if you or anyone you know needs help.

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