Mental Health Leave: A Progressive Policy or a Loophole Waiting to Happen?

Almost everyone is going through one mental health issue or breakdown around the world, and this isn't just among adults, but children and teenagers also experience the same, and that's why we see they display all sorts of surprising behaviours. Although for this prompt I'd be focusing more on adults and the recent clamour for government to include a fresh leave that is focused on workers' mental health issues. But should that even be a thing since we already have workers having the privilege to take sick leave? Find out what I think about these and several other relating topics surrounding the issue of mental health.

We can't lie on the need for everyone to take care of themselves, especially issues relating to their mental health, and that's because in reality they might seem perfectly fine, meanwhile they're going through a lot mentally, and if they don't speak up, you won't know. Now talking about if another leave should be included, one mainly focuses on encouraging workers to prioritise their mental health. Would it be ideal? If I were to respond as a civil servant that I am, I'll gladly accept such leave because it'll be an opportunity to spend time off work and probably take steps towards managing my mental health to a point where I'm free of any mental issues.

But on the other hand, I might as well say that there's actually no point including another leave just for workers to get themselves treated or counselled about their mental health, and that's because, in my opinion, they already have sick leaves, which will be an opportunity to get themselves treated for any form of illness they're faced with, be it physical or mental. I'm also against it because I've worked with people who fake being sick just so they can use the amount of sick leave they're entitled to in a calendar year, so what's the assurance that such won't repeat itself if mental health leave is also introduced?

But then, if it must be introduced, then it should be on the international mental health day around the world. Also, when we talk about how to make sure workers don't abuse such mental health leave if inaugurated, like they do with some other leaves they already get. In my opinion, how to go about that is probably my making sure every single worker sees a counsellor or therapist on such leave days, and evidence should be submitted to prove they indeed utilise the leave for what it's meant for. I know people can still abuse that by brbing their way to such evidence but then if the government are serious, they can send inspectors to visit different therapists officers without announcements to see anyone who help forge documents to prof what is not.

That's about it on my take on if a mental health leave should be included alongside the already existing sick leave that we have in various work facilities, what is your own opinion on the subject matter?

All photos are generated using ChatGpt AI.