School and Work

Most people can relate to the stress that comes from you job or education, but not everyone can understand what it’s like to have the added difficulty of a mental illness on top of the normal day-to-day expectations.

When you call in to work/school because of the flu (or other physical illness), it’s usually met with sympathy and understanding of why you won’t make it. However, calling in for a mental health day is not looked at in the same light. That’s because others who have not gone through mental illness think that it is the same type of stress they are going through as well, and that you can “push through it”.

What most don’t understand is mental illness can lead to physical illness as well. Headache, body pains, fatigue, and many other ailments come hand in hand with poor mental health. It’s more than just being tired or burnt out. It’s an illness and should be treated like one.

I encourage everyone to speak up and stand up for themselves. Speak with confidence when asking for a day off or calling in. The more open we are, the less of an issue it will become. It’s all about breaking down that stigma. However, if you don’t feel comfortable, no one in this community will judge you for a white lie. Like we’ve said before, you health is first. Always.

id: This Image has a photograph of a wooden desk that’s being used as a workspace. There is a laptop, cell phone, a cup of coffee, and various notebooks and papers. There is black and white text over green semi-opaque boxes. The text reads “The Fingerprint Project”, “Mental Health Awareness Month”, and “School and work”. /end id