Navigating Time Off For Mental Health
Ever felt hesitant about going to your boss to discuss your mental health and your needs? Not sure if disclosure is necessary in the first place? You're not alone. We spoke to our former principal clinical psychologist Leow Lilyn to explore the topic of negotiating workplace accommodations for mental health conditions.
This article is adapted from the transcript of episode 1 of our podcast Mindful Dialogues "A Formula for Mental Health Disclosure at Work" with host medical social worker Lee Kai Yi.
Kai Yi:
People with mental health conditions may need to consider disclosing their conditions in a professional setting for various seasons such as getting time off for attending therapy, or during interviews. This can bring up a lot of stress as one considers the consequences of disclosure. Could you give us a framework on how to approach this topic with our colleagues and bosses?
Lilyn:
There are different reasons that people disclose. Sometimes it’s just because you have certain practical needs such as needing time off to go for medical appointments. It’s about letting your employer know a little bit about yourself. You would want to consider the intention behind disclosure and what is its purpose, because fundamentally, this is private medical information. I’ve had patients where they have been admitted to the hospital and then during the period they were on medical leave, there was a request to try and ease into full time work again by working from home, by starting to answer emails, et cetera, and that had worked out very smoothly. So, it does depend on the organisation as well as the person themselves.
Kai Yi:
You spoke about a framework for disclosure. Is there a formula for it? Lilyn:
King's College London developed a set of guidelines called “Conceal or Reveal” and it’s available online. It's a guide specifically to tell employers about a mental health condition. For this particular framework, they have a couple of domains they guide you through step by step.
Perhaps what you value is privacy, or what you value is actually openness and honesty. Now the other domains to think about is also when to disclose at what time point. What I think this framework does is that it also gets you to reflect on your values, because if you then own your own disclosure process, you're not feeling as if you have no choice but to disclose. As much as we would love for people to be more understanding, that doesn't always occur and we don't have control of that. But if you are disclosing in the spirit of keeping true to your own values, that I think gives it some form of meaning.
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The nuanced challenge of disclosure
Reasons for requesting time off for mental health concerns are unique to individuals. These can include:
It’s important to understand your needs and consider the intention behind your request. While some employers are accommodating and offer flexible arrangements for medical appointments, persons with mental health conditions may fear disclosure due to the possibility of being made to resign or have their work hours or responsibilities reduced. Such conversations should then be approached in a nuanced manner, whether they’re for practical needs like medical appointments or broader mental health support.
About Leow Lilyn:
As a psychologist with IMH for over 15 years, Lilyn had treated adult patients with a range of mental health conditions, and has special interest in obsessive compulsive disorder. She is passionate about educating people to understand their mental health needs so they can live a full and vibrant life.
About Lee Kai Yi:
Kai Yi has been a medical social worker with IMH for over 10 years. She has helped caregivers and patients navigate their journey to wellness with the support of various community resources.