How to Explain Leaving a Job for Mental Health Reasons

How to Explain Leaving a Job for Mental Health Reasons

No one wants to risk losing their job – for any reason much less for mental health reasons. You might try to push through to satisfy the demands of your job, however, sometimes you just can’t do it. When your mental health status impacts your ability to work, it is time to get some expert help. Read on to learn how to explain leaving a job for mental health reasons.

When Mental Health Issues Cause You to Leave Your Job

So many of us try with all our might to manage our daily obligations despite struggling with a mental health condition. We put on a smile and show up to work, hoping that no one sees the pain that lies underneath the surface. Whether it is anxiety, depression, grief, or any mental health setback, trying to work in that state is extremely difficult. You may be able to manage the symptoms with the help of a local therapist or doctor. However, sometimes the condition worsens anyway and makes functioning at a job next to impossible. So, how do you explain leaving a job for mental health reasons? As difficult as it is to face an employer and request a medical leave of absence, it may become unavoidable. Understand that under the law an employer cannot fire you for seeking a leave for mental health reasons.

Signs of Mental Health Distress

Signs and symptoms that your mental health is worsening differ depending on the specific disorder. Since anxiety and depression are the most common mental health disorders in the U.S., here are the symptoms:

Anxiety. Anxiety disorder affects about 40 million adults every year. There are several types of anxiety in the anxiety spectrum, each with specific features. Here are some symptoms that are common with all types of anxiety:

• • Extreme feelings of fear or worry
  • Feeling jumpy or restless
  • Irritability
  • Isolating behaviors
  • Problems sleeping
  • Muscle tension
  • Headaches
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Shallow breathing
  • Racing heart
  • Shaking

Depression. Depression affects about 21 million adults every year. There are various types of depression that each has unique features. Here are common depression symptoms

• • Persistent low mood, sadness, or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in life
  • Change in eating habits
  • Change in sleep habits
  • Fatigue
  • Slowed movements
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decision
  • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
  • Thoughts of suicide

Job Protections Under the Law

Knowing how to explain leaving a job for mental health reasons is key. You may confide in your immediate supervisor that you are struggling and need to seek treatment, and they must honor your privacy. You can also go directly to your H.R. department to initiate the paperwork for an extended leave. Employers are bound by the ADA and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to not discriminate against you. Under the terms of the ADA, you are not required to disclose the nature of your illness to the boss. However, in order to qualify for the requested time off, you must share your health records confidentially. Your job is protected under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). FMLA is a federal program that provides employees with up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave for a health condition. This allows you three months to obtain residential treatment for a mental health issue, with your job or equivalent guaranteed.

Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Treatment

You may know how to explain leaving a job for mental health reasons, but sometimes that is not enough. Even with job protections in place, many people still resist asking for a leave of absence to get the help they need. There are many reasons why this is the case, including:

1. 1. Stigma. Mental health disorders still carry a stigma in our society. The employee may not seek treatment because they fear it will harm their future career prospects.
   2. Burdening coworkers. Some employees may not pursue mental health treatment because they believe their absence will burden coworkers with additional work.
   3. Expense. Many who would benefit from mental health treatment fail to get it because they are worried about the expense. They are not yet informed about their insurance benefits for mental health services.
   4. Impact on family. Sometimes the employee is in mental distress and needs residential mental health treatment. However, they worry about how their absence will impact the children and family in general.

Mental Health Treatment Options

There is a broad range of mental health services available for someone who is experiencing persistent mental health instability. In most cases, someone who is seeking a leave from work to obtain treatment has already pursued outpatient treatment. This is the most common form of mental health care, and includes psychotherapy, support groups, and medication. However, not everyone responds to this level of care. When a mental health issue persists or worsens despite outpatient treatment, to the point of impairment, a higher level of care is appropriate. This can be obtained from a residential treatment center. The duration of a stay at a residential treatment program depends of the severity of the illness. The person may improve in one month and be discharged to step down to outpatient, or they may need an extended stay. Residential treatment includes the following:

• • Individual psychotherapy. Talk therapy allows you to gain new insights into the underlying psychological issues contributing to the mental health disorder.

• • Group therapy. You’ll join others in recovery who share a similar condition to engage in discussion topics.

• • Family group. Family therapy can enable better communication and support among you and your family members, which assists recovery.

• • Medication management. You may benefit from medication to help manage your symptoms and improve functioning.

• • Adjunctive therapies. Therapies such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can help with trauma disorder.

• • Holistic activities. You’ll enjoy relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness meditation, art therapy, and yoga.

• • Nutrition and Exercise. Nutrition plays a significant role in brain health and overall wellness. Daily exercise helps boost brain chemicals that regulate stress and improve overall mood.

Robles Ranch Mental Health Offers Comprehensive Primary Mental Health Treatment

Robles Ranch Mental Health treatment center is designed for comfort and security while you receive compassionate care for a mental health disorder. If you’d like guidance on how to explain leaving a job for mental health reasons, call us today at (866) 840-3841.