In Case You Haven't Heard…

The share of workers taking mental health leave is up 300% from pre‐pandemic levels, according to a new study released Sept. 11 by ComPsych, a leader in organizational mental health, well‐being and absence management, Yahoo Finance reported Sept. 17. ComPsych Chief Clinical Officer Jennifer Birdsall told CNBC there are a number of reasons this percentage has jumped “so tremendously,” including “ongoing international conflicts, civil unrest, a volatile economy, and political polarization.” The COVID‐19 pandemic, which ignited a larger conversation about mental health and encouraged people to be more open to seeking support, also plays a role in the increase in mental health leaves, Birdsall said. “The pandemic fundamentally reset norms in absence management for employers,” ComPsych CEO Paul Posey said in a statement. “In the ‘new normal,’ we're seeing elevated levels of leave across the board, and especially for mental health. This means employers need to reevaluate both their approach to absence management and overall employee well‐being to foster workforces that thrive.” The study found that, on average, employees who take a break for any reason and are able to utilize their company's behavior and mental health services return to work six days earlier than those who don't have access to the services.