took a "mental health day"

So I took the day off work today...I called in sick.

I'm kind of proud of myself because I've really been feeling majorly stressed out this week...about my job, about the possibility of losing my job if congress votes to cut americorps. I've just been super anxious and stressed out, so I thought maybe a day off would help. Surely another day at work would make me more stressed.

I'm just worried now that I made the wrong decision and that people at work won't be happy with me...but I need to learn to take care of myself. What do you guys think about taking a day off if you've had bad anxiety all week?

Gosh, we've all done that! I don't blame you at all.

I will say though that by the time I'm taking mental health days off from a job, it isn't long before I don't have the job--not because they let me go or fire me or lay me off, but because the job gets more distasteful and stressful every time I go back and I start to realize it isn't good for me.

I wonder, is there anyone there you can talk to about your stress? Anyone you trust? I know at a lot of private sector jobs there is a 800 number you can call for all kinds of personal issues--they review your benefits and community resources and help you cope.

You might be able to handle it better with some support is all I'm thinking.

Good luck, enjoy your mental health day, and don't second guess yourself! You made the right decision for you. If your emotional state is bad, everyone loses when you 'gut it out'.

Yeah, there are a couple of other americorps workers that also have similar stresses as I do. I know, you're right that it isn't a good sign that I'm this stressed from my job. It's been quite a rollercoaster....plus it being my first real job after college.

I've been updating my resume's but haven't started applying to other jobs. It's such a stressful time.

I have taken MH days off before as well. Personally I believe that if you are not at your best due to the stress you will not be at your best for work and an extra day off can help that situation. In my case if I don't deal with the extra stress, I become sick and need more time off in the long run.

I have been through the job loss due to state budget cut senario as well. It is very stressfull. Remember loosing your job because of government funding IS NOT YOUR FAULT. You had nothing to do with loosing the job. It is the government. Don't take on that added stress. It got me no where fast.

Good Luck. I hope for the best for you in retaining you job.

I take a day anytime Iam having issues with my mental illnes and I dont care what the job think cause I know what makes happy or feel better .Meds taking is good but its not an healer huggs sending huggs your way

I do this quite a lot, but I need to learn to catch it earlier I think. My job is very stressful and sometimes thats a good thing because it takes my mind off all my other problems for a bit, but eventually everything gets on top of me and I have to take a sick day or 2. Actually one time I ended up being hospitalised and was off work for 3 months because I tried to keep working, keep everything in my life together and it all went **** up...

Sometimes I think we just need a day off to zone out and look after ourselves- just like if you had a stomach ache or migraine. You would look after yourself then but because it's mental health issue for some reason people dont regard it as a legitimat ereason for needing time out.

Hope going back to work isnt too stressful, that a part I always find hard

I actually took a mental health day today too - and I'm taking tomorrow off as well and I gave notice so I'm right there with all of you. I was having actual physical issues as well as nightmare stress from my job and by last friday was having chest pains.i know working is important , but me not having daily panic attacks is more important. As much as I want to be a rock star at work, I need to be stable. I'll find another job.
embracinglife, i hope you had a nice day off.

You don't owe anyone any specific explanation at all if your absence isn't frequent or disruptive. I've done it. You have to take care of yourself and do what you have to do sometimes.

Back in the 70's the United States Army Medical Corp authorized a 'psyche day' off , no questions asked and it was soon picked up by private industry throughout the world as well. This has not changed as far as I know and the only problem people have had is when the employer chooses to not pay for that day off as they willingly allow one day per month for your psyche....those whom abuse this luxury shall be, and quite understandably so, hung at high noon by their peers.
Basically it has been a get out of jail free card for those whom find themselves overewhelmed by the daily stresses of their job dealing with the healing and/or dying associated with the healthcare profession.

"Best part is is that it works so very well"

I think it's *great*!

In order to be more productive we need rest and recuperation.

Billi