Mentally ill workers hesitant to request sick leave as psychiatrist calls to reduce discrimination

Many employees with mental health issues fear being labeled and are hesitant to request sick leave certificates, psychiatrist Yip Pui-lam said as he urged promoting public education to reduce discrimination in the workplace.

In an interview with Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Yip noted that post-pandemic and amid recent economic downturns, more patients are seeking help for workplace stress. 

He stated that high workloads, long working hours, and workplace conflicts, including office politics, are significant sources of distress for many.

While workplace mental health issues are common, few employees are willing to seek professional help.

Yip explained: “Some patients often hesitate to see a doctor regularly because they need a sick leave certificate, and they fear their boss will find out they are seeing a psychiatrist.”

“Even those who obtain a certificate may request that it not specify their condition, simply stating that they are unwell. They worry that presenting the certificate will lead to discrimination.”

“Labels arise from misunderstandings. Some people mistakenly believe that individuals with mental illnesses are often violent, but that’s not the case,” Yip said. 

“I believe over 90 percent of those with mental illnesses do not exhibit violent tendencies.”

Yip added that Hong Kong has a low ratio of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists to the population, particularly in public hospitals where resources are strained, urging the government to provide more related resources.

Rotary District 3450 District Governor Nigel Lo urged employers to focus more on their employees’ mental health, emphasizing that low morale can significantly and negatively impact the company.

(Cheng Wong)