Are mental health days considered sick days?

In our times we didn't have these terms, we just called it a sick day. Now I realize that mental health is a part of overall health. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is completely fine to use your sick leave for this.

Totally! Don't stress too much about explaining it to HR either. Just drop a mail saying you are unwell and take the day off. Your peace of mind is way more important than any project.

Legally and practically, yes, you can apply them under sick leave. You don't have to give detailed descriptions of your anxiety or stress to your manager. Just say you are physically unfit to work today, which is technically true.

I used to feel so guilty and anxious about taking leave for my panic attacks, thinking it was cheating. But I realized that mental pain affects the whole body. It is 100% a sick day, so please don't feel bad about it.

Dekho, simple baat hai. Sick leave is for when you cannot work due to health issues. If your mind is blocked and you are stressed, you are not fit for work. Just apply for sick leave and switch off your phone.

Haan na, if you tell people it is for mental health, some traditional bosses might make faces. Better to just say you have a stomach upset or viral fever and take the sick leave. Corporate life is tough, ho na.

From a clinical perspective, extreme stress and burnout trigger physical symptoms like headaches and elevated heart rate. So yes, it falls under medical leave. If your office requires a certificate, any general physician can write one for stress.