3 Hidden Benefits of Mental Health Days You Might Not Know
Mental health days aren’t just a trendy perk—they're a powerful tool for improving employee wellbeing and preventing burnout. Whether you're an employee wondering if you can take a mental health day at work, or a manager curious about the benefits of mental health days for your team, there’s more to the story than you might expect. Beyond boosting morale and reducing stress, mental health days for employees can lead to higher productivity, stronger retention, and a more inclusive workplace. Let’s explore three hidden mental health day benefits you probably didn’t know.
Improving overall health. Mental health days help employees heal and bring their best selves to work daily.
Preventing burnout. Allowing employees to take mental health days helps retain your workforce by sending a clear message that you understand their worth to the company.
Increasing productivity. Supporting employees' mental health with paid time off allows them to better cope with stress and focus on their responsibilities.
Table of Contents: Mental Health Day Benefits at Work
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on and was last updated on to reflect new research.
Mental Health Days Help Prevent Burnout at Work
Revealed - the Benefits of Taking a Mental Health Day for Employees
Ten years ago, most employees had never even heard of “mental health days,” let alone understand the benefits of mental health days.
There were sick days, sure, but the concept of taking a day off for mental health to recover before your physical health suffered was an alien one. Back then, the awkward conversation about mental health and stress was something nobody wanted to have at work.
Fortunately, nowadays, that’s changing, albeit slowly as employers and employees recognize the benefits of mental health days.
"Mental health days have always been taken by staff, but other reasons have tended to be given for this absence."
What Is a Mental Health Day, Really?
A mental health day is more than just a day off — it's a proactive step toward self-care, emotional regulation, and sustainable productivity. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, stress, burnout, or simply overwhelmed by life, taking a mental health day can help you reset and restore balance. Rooted in the growing global recognition of mental health as vital to overall well-being, mental health days offer a simple yet powerful protective factor in mental health. Learn more: What is a mental health day?
Mental Health Days Encourage Authentic Employee Engagement
When companies offer mental health days for employees, they do more than just provide time off—they foster a culture of trust, openness, and authentic engagement. Employees who feel supported in prioritizing their mental health are more likely to participate fully in their roles, collaborate meaningfully, and bring their whole selves to work.
We’ve all heard dismissive comments like “just get over it” or “you don’t look sick”. These attitudes create invisible barriers that prevent employees from speaking up. But when someone tells you to get over it, it dismisses the real struggles many face. Mental health days at work counteract that stigma, becoming one of the protective factors in mental health —especially in high-stress environments.
By recognizing emotional needs as valid and actionable, employers signal that ensuring workplace equity includes mental well-being. Not everyone experiences stress the same way; a day off is essential to reset for some. For others, taking a break feels like a luxury they can’t afford. That’s why flexible, paid mental health days matter—they give employees the space to say, “I’d rather be sleeping today,” and be heard without judgment.
The outcome is clear: teams that prioritize mental health experience deeper engagement, lower turnover, and higher productivity. By encouraging honesty and balance, employers build a workplace where real connection—and real performance—can thrive.
Do Mental Health Days Count as Sick Days?
Do mental health days count as sick days? An increasing number of workplaces are allowing, and even encouraging, their employees to look after their mental health by taking days off when necessary.
With greater access than ever to mental health facilties - such as these best telehealth platforms for mental health - there’s no excuse to ignore the issue any longer.
But not every boss is completely sold on the benefits of mental health days for employees despite many companies embracing remote working during the Covid19 pandemic and beyond.
For many managers, the fear of losing “control” over their employees far outweighs the benefits of mental health days. Many still do not understand why mental health days are important and how they improve productivity.
Mental Health Days Prevent Sick Days
If you need to convince your boss of the benefits of mental health days, here are three compelling arguments that you can make:
According to the American Psychological Association, stress-related illness costs U.S. businesses up to $300 billion per year in health care and lost work.
Another study estimates that the total cost of work-related depression alone in the EU is nearly €620 billion per year. Add the fact that 77 percent of people in the U.S. regularly suffer physical symptoms due to stress, and it’s evident that the problem is a huge one.
Whether someone specializes in business intelligence consulting or customer care and support, research also confirms there are elevated risks of depression among employees experiencing work-related stress.
Mental health days for employees are a simple beneficial intervention that allows staff to take time off in a controlled, planned, agreed-upon way before they burn out completely and end up having to take unplanned sick days instead or worse.
However, a word of caution is needed. The benefits of employer-paid mental health days do nothing to address the root causes of poor mental health, only relieving the symptoms of the problem. Businesses should always examine their work environment to ensure it was not contributing to mental ill health.
Tackling mental health problems early is important for preventing them from getting worse. This is why taking a mental health day to care for yourself, de-stress and re-group can be useful.
Mental Health Days Support Company Culture and Improve Productivity
Taking mental health days at work isn’t just about rest—it’s a strategic move that benefits both employees and employers. Numerous studies show that when employees are well-rested and mentally supported, their overall productivity increases. This might sound counterintuitive, but pushing through stress and burnout often leads to a decline in performance.
This is where presenteeism —being physically present at work but mentally unwell—becomes costly. Employees who feel overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally exhausted are far less effective. Offering paid mental health days for employees helps prevent this. It gives them the opportunity to decompress, reset, and return to work focused and reenergized.
Mental health days also contribute to a healthier workplace culture. They promote open conversations about well-being, increase staff retention, and foster innovation by allowing employees the headspace to think clearly and creatively. Prioritizing employee mental health builds a culture of trust—and that’s the foundation for a more productive and resilient organization.
“If people feel they need more than a single day to reset their thinking and behaviors, they should talk to a doctor.”
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Be Inclusive Every Day →Benefits of Mental Health Days Include Happier Employees
One of the often-overlooked benefits of mental health days for employees is the sense of trust and autonomy they promote. When supervisors offer paid mental health days at work, it sends a powerful message: we trust you to take care of yourself. This empowerment builds a stronger employee-employer relationship and reinforces a culture of respect and support.
By encouraging workers to take mental health days as needed—without stigma—managers help employees proactively manage stress, avoid burnout, and maintain emotional balance. The result? Employees return to work feeling happier, more valued, and more engaged, which naturally boosts productivity and team morale.
While the benefits of mental health days are significant, it’s important to note they’re just one part of a broader mental wellness strategy. A single mental health day off cannot replace professional treatment for anxiety, depression, or diagnosed mental health conditions. However, when combined with a supportive workplace culture, mental health days can make a lasting impact.
The benefits of employer-paid mental health days include reducing "the level of presenteeism (working when sick) and signals to staff that the organization cares for their wellbeing, which has positive cultural influences.”
Recent Insights: The Evolving Role of Mental Health Days in the Workplace
In the past year, the conversation around mental health days has gained significant momentum, with organizations and experts highlighting their importance in fostering employee well-being and productivity.
A 2024 article from McLean Hospital emphasizes that taking even a few hours off can help individuals reset their thinking and behaviors, especially when feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Similarly, the Mayo Clinic Health System notes that planned mental health days can reduce feelings of burnout, improve morale, and enhance resiliency among employees. McLean Hospital Mayo Clinic Health System
However, experts also caution that while mental health days are beneficial, they should be part of a broader, systemic approach to mental well-being. For instance, Dr. Art Markman points out that occasional days off might not address deeper issues like toxic work environments or unrealistic expectations, suggesting that cultural and managerial changes are also necessary. New York Post
These insights underscore the evolving understanding of mental health days—not just as isolated breaks, but as integral components of a comprehensive strategy to support employee mental health and foster a more resilient, engaged workforce.
Brendan McDonald
Brendan McDonald, the author of "3 Hidden Benefits of Mental Health Days You Might Not Know," is a seasoned writer and former humanitarian aid worker who is becoming recognized as a voice in the DEI space. Drawing from over two decades of frontline experience in global crisis zones—including Kosovo, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Libya, Jordan, and Iraq—Brendan brings a deep understanding of systemic inequities, workplace trauma, and cultural complexity to his writing on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), peripheral neuropathy, and bicuspid aortic valve disease (BAVD), and having lived with clinical depression and burnout, Brendan channels his lived experience into advocacy that centers marginalized voices and champions inclusive organizational change. His intersectional lens—as someone navigating cancer, chronic illness, disability, and mental health—offers a unique and powerful perspective on what true inclusion requires.
Brendan holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies and a Master of Social Science. His work spans the themes of cancer, mental illness, chronic illness, DEI, social justice, and human resources. His advocacy has reached global audiences through publications like The Guardian, helping drive institutional change and wellbeing reforms in both humanitarian and professional sectors.
