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Mental health day

A day off work taken to rest and recover from stress or strain, usually drawn from sick leave or PTO under the employer's own policy.

What It Means

A mental health day is a day away from work taken to rest and recover from stress, tiredness or strain rather than a physical illness. There's no legal category by that name: the Department of Labor says federal wage law doesn't require pay for time not worked, so the day comes out of sick leaveSick leaveTime off work an employer allows when you're ill, injured or caring for your health, paid or unpaid depending on the employer's policy and state or local law. See more, PTO or a personal day as your employer's policy allows. Cleveland Clinic suggests planning one ahead when you can see a demanding stretch coming, rather than only waiting until you're worn out.

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Take a day this week if your policy allows

Check whether it comes from sick leave or PTO, tell your manager, and plan the day around rest.

How People Say It at Work

  • "I'm taking a mental health day tomorrow."
  • "I just need one day with my phone off."
  • "I put in a personal day after the launch."

The Breakdown

How to take one (Buhata's suggestion)

  1. Check your handbook. Find out whether a day for your mental health counts as sick leave, PTO or a personal day, and how much notice your employer wants.
  2. Tell your manager plainly. "I'm taking a sick day tomorrow" or "I'm using a personal day Friday" covers it, unless your policy asks for more.
  3. Hand off anything urgent. Send one message saying who covers what, and set an out-of-office reply.
  4. Plan a light day. Cleveland Clinic notes that what recharges people differs: sleep, a walk, time with a friend, a book or a movie all count.
  5. Leave the inbox closed. CheckingChecking accountA bank or credit union account for everyday money going in and out, used by debit card, checks, transfers and direct deposit. See more email half the day keeps you at work.
  6. Plan your first hour back. Write the one task you'll start with so the return feels manageable.

Try it today. Look at the next six weeks of your calendar, find the heaviest week, and pencil in a day off right after it.

When a day isn't enough. If low mood, worry or exhaustion keeps coming back, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. For a longer absence, the Family and Medical Leave ActFMLAThe Family and Medical Leave Act, a federal law giving eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave a year for family and medical reasons. See more gives eligible employees unpaid, job-protected leave for their own serious health condition; HR can tell you whether you qualify.

Good to Know

The Department of Labor says the Fair Labor Standards Act doesn't require paid sick leave or vacation, so whether a mental health day is paid depends on your employer's policy and any state or local law where you work. If you have thoughts of suicide or are in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, open 24/7. Call 911 in an emergency.

FAQ

Can I use a sick day for my mental health?

Often yes, but it depends on your employer's policy and state or local law. Check the handbook's definition of sick leave, or ask HR.

Do I have to tell my boss it's a mental health day?

Your employer's policy sets what notice you give and whether a note is needed. Many people simply say they're taking a sick or personal day; check the handbook for what yours requires.

How often should I take a mental health day?

There's no official number. Cleveland Clinic suggests noticing when you tend to burn out and planning time off before those stretches.

Do It in Buhata

Calendar and Reminders

Put a day off on the Buhata Calendar after your next big deadline, and set a Reminder the week before to request it.

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Related Terms and Categories

  • Burnout at work

    Exhaustion, cynicism about your job and a drop in how effective you feel, which WHO links to chronic workplace stress that hasn't been managed.

  • Sick leave

    Time off work an employer allows when you're ill, injured or caring for your health, paid or unpaid depending on the employer's policy and state or local law.

  • Boundaries at work

    Limits a person sets and tells others about at work, covering their time, workload, availability and how they're treated.

  • Work-life balance

    How your time and energy divide between paid work and the rest of your life, such as family, rest, health and interests.

  • Presenteeism

    Going to work, or logging on, while sick or otherwise not well enough to work at your usual level, the reverse of an unplanned absence.

Work, career and remote life

Sources

Cleveland Clinic, "Is Taking a Mental Health Day Actually Good for You?"; U.S. Department of Labor, "Vacation Leave"; U.S. Department of Labor, "Sick Leave"; U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, "Family and Medical Leave Act"; 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Last updated .