Mental Health Awareness Month

17 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 11,2025 at 1:12PM UTC

   The EAP program at our job saved my life when I was considering divorcing my abusive husband. They were able to get me the mental health resources I needed to prop me up, refer me to legal and other types of resources, and I spoke with a counselor who was able to give me a checklist of DOs and DON'Ts. No other job since then has been able to be as comprehensive in their EAP programs, but the biggest thing they can do is provide both time off and mental health as part of their insurance coverage. One thing I've noticed happening in the Mental Health provider area is that many have quit taking or limited the companies that provide coverage because the rate they pay is so low. Some don't take insurance and require self-pay, so a "mental health bonus" that one could use for this (or any other) purpose, like a spa day, would be nice.

2. Yamini BangarusamyMay 11,2025 at 1:38PM UTC

   Wow, thank you for sharing that; it’s incredible that you had access to the right support when you needed it most.

   Huge kudos to your company for stepping up like that.

   I love the idea of a mental health bonus—that’s such a cool and creative solution, especially with how tricky coverage has become lately!

3. AnonymousMay 16,2025 at 1:54PM UTC

   I’ve been lucky to have out of network coverage which pays for a substantial portion of my therapist’s fees.

4. Yamini BangarusamyMay 11,2025 at 1:41PM UTC

   I totally feel you on the paradox of being told to relax—it can actually make you more anxious! Relaxation isn’t always a one-size-fits-all activity, and I love how you’re stretching the definition of wellness to include the everyday stuff like grabbing groceries or catching up on your fav TV show. We seriously underestimate how restorative just “being” can be.

5. Chre M. Davis, M.S.Ed.May 12,2025 at 1:35AM UTC

   I take advantage of PTO and flextime. I am grateful to work somewhere that allows me to take time when needed, no questions asked.

6. Yamini BangarusamyMay 12,2025 at 3:05AM UTC

   Love this!

7. Theresa WilsonMay 12,2025 at 1:05PM UTC

   Wow, that's interesting. I work for a school district and got a week off from my therapist for stress and exhaustion. The district non-reelected me. They said it wasn't retaliation but I have doubts. If you are a probationary employee (I was at the end of my two years) they can release you and don't have to have a reason other than not a good "fit". So much for schools being better places to work.

8. Yamini BangarusamyMay 12,2025 at 6:10PM UTC

   Great question! At The Muse/FGB/Purpose Jobs, we genuinely care about mental health and well-being. We get unlimited PTO if full-time, and part-time team members accrue paid time off too.

   Those who elect for health insurance receive a year of Talkspace and access to Health Advocate - a tool that helps in finding mental health providers and support services.

   Our team really values work-life balance, celebrates wins both in and outside of work, and we have a great kudos program in place to regularly recognize each other’s hard work. It's a great place to work :)

9. Titra HamiltonMay 12,2025 at 8:21PM UTC

   I have never placed responsibility for my mental health in the hands of an employer. They are your supervisors and co-workers, not friends. At least half of the supervisors I have had could care less. They want the work done to meet their KPIs. If I need a break, I follow policy and take one. If they have an employee assistance program (EAP), use it and get therapy. You are under zero obligation to explain.

10. AnonymousMay 13,2025 at 11:14AM UTC

    That's brilliant ?

11. AnonymousMay 13,2025 at 2:56PM UTC

    Yes, I wish our company did support mental health days for the employees.

12. Lindsey PressleyMay 14,2025 at 12:17AM UTC

    I really wish more employers would implement designated mental health days in addition to standard sick and PTO days. Balancing full-time work, full-time school, and caring for my toddler full-time—often all at once while working from home—can take a serious toll. Mental burnout is real.

    To support my mental well-being, I lean on my friends and family when I need a break. Having the availability of mental health time off would allow me to take that break without stressing about lost income, which is often a major barrier to truly taking care of ourselves.

    When I do have the chance to mentally reset, I return to work feeling refreshed, focused, and more motivated than ever. A well-supported mind helps me tackle tasks with greater enthusiasm and diligence than I typically could running on empty.

13. AnonymousMay 14,2025 at 3:01AM UTC

    In today's world, there is no concept of employee loyalty. everyone is serving their own needs. One thing i never forget at work is that no matter what u do, there is always a limit to the recognition. Each employee at the EOD is replaceable. Moral of the story, think about yourself and upgrade towards better opportunities.

14. Mary JohnsonMay 19,2025 at 12:25PM UTC

    We have Mental Health Allies, Well being ambassadors, EAP, a 24/7 online mental health platform, finance platform etc that staff or anyone at their address can use. Social value days (only 2) but then they can use them to do something they feel is worthwhile for charity. A hybrid working pattern where if need be we work 6 hours one day and 9 hours two other days that week to catch our hours up.

    I'm in the UK so a bit luckier, but do wish we'd be given a day or two each year where we could book to mental health day.

    No one is expected to work over their hours except for when an issue arises in the field we work in - can only think of one in the last 2 years that meant extra hours.

15. AnonymousMay 20,2025 at 6:13PM UTC

    One that that would be great is if our copay for mental health services wasn't $75 - that's steep for a lot of employees and I've heard more than one note they are trying to see a therapist but the cost and they are going less than desired.

16. Emma JamesonNovember 11,2025 at 12:19PM UTC
    Mental Health Awareness Month is such an important reminder that emotional well-being matters at every stage of life. I’ve seen how loneliness and anxiety can deeply affect older adults, especially those living alone or far from family. That’s one of the reasons I value communities like seniorcarehomes where seniors not only receive professional care but also emotional support and companionship. It’s amazing how much a warm environment and genuine connection can improve someone’s mental health. Awareness is the first step, but creating supportive spaces for our elders makes a lasting difference in their quality of life and happiness.
17. Maryam SultanJune 30,2026 at 8:47AM UTC

    I completely agree with this. Working in recruitment I see so many candidates who are completely burnt out just from the stress of job hunting. I always advise people to take a day or two to completely unplug and reset before jumping back into interviews. It is so refreshing to see more employers normalizing actual mental health days because a rested team is always more productive.