“This group certainly has more awareness of mental health”

Within five years, the number of suffering from mental disorders increased by as much as 40 percent. According to the data of the Social Insurance Institution, we get sick more and more, but also are increasingly diagnosing, and Poles stop being ashamed of visits to a psychiatrist. Thirty -year -olds are worst according to the same data.

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Poles are increasingly paying attention not only to physical, but also mental well -being – also at work. – This is the most dynamically growing group of cases, the most arrives and this comes consistently year -on -year – emphasizes the president of the Social Insurance Institution Zbigniew Derdziuk.

According to data ZUSsick leave for mental disorders and behavior last year accounted for just over 7 percent of all certificates and almost 13 percent of the total number of days of absence.

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– As we compared the data before Pandemia, during a pandemic and now it is indeed the number of people who get sick and indicate disorders as mental illness and other such disorders increased by 38 percent – indicates Zbigniew Derdziuk.

Awareness about mental health is growing

Although an increase of almost 40 percent over the past five years may cause concern, it should not be surprising. The lawyer and labor market expert Katarzyna Łodygowska believes that the increase in sick leave is proportional to the increase in awareness of our mental health.

Thanks to this awareness, we are less and less afraid to ask for help. – Mental disorders are less stigmatized and we are aware of the fact that mental health is an important aspect of health and improves the quality of life – says the national consultant in the field of psychiatry Professor Piotr Gałecki.

30-year-olds are the age group that most often uses this type of certificate. – This group certainly has more awareness of mental health, they are less afraid to report for help and it is age when we have a lot of professional challenges and in the private sphere – says psychiatrist Aleksandra Pięta.

The challenges that await us at work may be overwhelmed and sometimes not lifting. – Often, patients get in a mental crisis in connection with the work performed – emphasizes Aleksandra Pięta. – At a time when, for example, new duties fall on them, but they are not trained how to deal with them – he adds.

Employees do not want to reach for dismissals

The cause of mental health problems at work is also burnout. – Professional burnout at work is often the first step to the appearance of frustration and consequently anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and addiction – warns Professor Piotr Gałecki.

Still, many employees, contrary to the occurring symptoms, do not want to reach for dismissals. – Often people are afraid to go to exemptions, especially about mental health, or no one at work will see it – notes Katarzyna Łodygowska. – There are often questions whether another employer will see that we were on sick leave – he adds.

The President of ZUS admits that the control of such exemptions is difficult. – To check such a dismissal, you need a specialist doctor, whom ZUS cannot employ – indicates Zbigniew Derdziuk.

When work problems reflect on our lives outside of it, let's not be afraid to ask for help.

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