The Staggering Rise of Mental Health Leave
Who is Taking Leave?
Mental health leaves are no longer uncommon. According to a recent report by ComPsych, a provider of mental health and absence management services, leaves of absence increased 30 percent from 2019 to 2024, with an astounding 300 percent increase in mental health leaves within this same time frame.
In a press release, ComPsych CEO Paul Posey was quoted as saying, "The pandemic fundamentally reset norms in absence management for employers. In the 'new normal,' we're seeing elevated levels of leave across the board, and especially for mental health."
This trend reflects a growing recognition that psychological health deserves the same attention as physical health and that taking time away from work can be an important part of recovery.
THE BASICS
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Limitations and Barriers to Taking Mental Health Leave
- The ability to take mental health leave is itself a form of privilege, as it often depends on having stable, documented employment with benefits and legal protections.
- Workers in undocumented, contract, informal, or unstable employment settings are likely also to experience psychological distress but lack access to protected leave.
- Consequently, structural inequities can unintentionally overlook who is afforded time away from work and who isn’t.
Taking a Mental Health Leave
If you think you may need to go out on a mental health leave, it is important to establish care with a qualified mental health provider as early as possible rather than waiting until you are in crisis or ready to contact your employer regarding leave.
- Developing a therapeutic relationship allows your provider to conduct a comprehensive assessment, understand how symptoms are impacting your functioning, and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.
- If a leave of absence is clinically indicated, your provider will then be better positioned to complete the required documentation.