Mental Health Epidemic: Pandemic's Lingering Impact Leads to Extended Sick Leave for Adults and Adolescents

Madrid, Spain – Experts are raising alarms about a burgeoning mental health crisis, exacerbated by the recent pandemic, leading to a significant increase in long-term sick leave. A recent discussion highlighted that many individuals are struggling to recover from mental health challenges, with some requiring absences from work extending up to six months. During the broadcast, a commentator emphasized, "A person sees they cannot, asks for their leave, 15 days, then it's a month, then it's two months, and then finally they are given six months because they cannot return to work, they are not capable of returning to work." He stressed the inseparable link between mental health and working conditions, noting that while improvements in work conditions are important, they do not fully address the underlying mental health struggles. "The pandemic has been a very strong shake-up," he stated, explaining that many people have not recovered from its profound impact. He concluded by asserting, "There is a mental health epidemic from adolescents to adults. We always talk about a mental health epidemic in adolescents, well, and in adults too." This growing concern underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to address mental well-being across all age groups and its profound implications for society and the economy.