Jessica Ricci

It could either make you feel better or it could stress you out, and I'm sorry if it's the latter.

But if you're at the point where your workplace is offering you stress leave –

People probably can already tell that you're really stressed and struggling.

If I think about, again, myself, like when I'm having a tough time, it's pretty apparent to the people around me.

No, what are you talking about?

You know, I think like, and for, I mean, I don't know your workplace, but just thinking about like a typical classic corporate workplace.

it's not the first thing they jump up and offer typically.

Like I think it probably is coming from a place of we think that you need this.

We think that it would be beneficial to you, probably beneficial to us.

And so I kind of think that you should take it if I'm being honest.

I think that, you know, we say all the time your mental health is so important and you need to put yourself first.

And the fact of the matter is that the way that society is structured is not always conducive to looking after yourself.

And especially when you are in one of those mental health holes, sometimes every ounce of your energy is required to pull yourself out.

And that is okay.

And that might mean that you need to not be working, that you need to be seeking other help or spending time in a space that makes you feel safe or happy or whatever that looks like for whatever you're struggling with.

And I do want to say that I'm really sorry you're struggling.

That's a really tough thing.

spot to be and I think it's amazing that you are in a place where your workplace is offering that as an option you're brave enough to consider it as an option I don't think you should be embarrassed or scared or anything you deserve to be okay and you deserve to put yourself first and I think that that is the most important thing in terms of the insurance you know I'm not even going to say it because I'm pretty sure Victoria is about to say it but there are options available to you and if you have exclusions that exist already

And you can't access all of the other kinds of insurances.

In that case, the mental health exclusion wouldn't make a difference anyway if you already couldn't access it.