Mental Health Leave From Work: Can You Lose Your Job for Getting Treatment?

If you're considering mental health leave from work, treatment for anxiety or depression, or rehab for substance use, one of the biggest questions may be: Can I get help without losing my job?

In this episode of Punching the Clock, employment attorney Mila Arutunian sits down with Monica Persons, Founder and CEO of Del Rae Behavioral Health, to discuss mental health, addiction treatment, workplace accommodations, medical leave, and what employees should understand before asking for help.

Many employees struggle silently with anxiety, depression, trauma, insomnia, substance use, burnout, and other mental health challenges because they're afraid that telling their employer could jeopardize their career.

This conversation explores when mental health conditions may receive workplace protections, why communicating and documenting a need for accommodation can matter, how treatment can fit around employment and family responsibilities, and why seeking help doesn't have to mean putting your entire life on hold.

In this episode, Mila and Monica discuss:

• Mental health conditions and workplace protections
• Asking for mental health leave from work
• Reasonable workplace accommodations
• Seeking rehab or addiction treatment while employed
• Why documentation with an employer can matter
• Medical documentation for treatment and leave
• Anxiety and depression in the workplace
• Mental health stigma among professionals and executives
• Why high achievers may struggle silently
• PHP vs. IOP mental health treatment programs
• Returning to work while continuing treatment
• Balancing treatment, work, parenting, and family
• How employers can better support struggling employees
• Family involvement during mental health treatment
• Cultural stigma surrounding therapy and mental health
• Addiction recovery and long-term support
• Why asking for help can be a sign of strength

Monica also shares her personal journey through treatment and recovery and how that experience ultimately contributed to the creation of Del Rae Behavioral Health, an outpatient treatment program offering mental health and substance use services.

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation:

You don't necessarily have to wait until you're in crisis before asking for help.

If something happening at work has made you ask:

“Is this legal?”
“What are my rights?”
“Can I take time off?”
“Can I get treatment and keep my job?”

Leave your question in the comments.