Woman Requests Mental Health Break – A 21-year-old woman working in Gurugram has shared her troubling experience after requesting a short break for her mental health. According to her, her managers showed no empathy, and instead, mocked her, sparking a wider conversation about mental health awareness in Indian workplaces.
Woman Shares Her Story on Reddit(Woman Requests Break)
The young woman detailed her experience in a post on Reddit, which has gone viral and sparked discussions about workplace attitudes towards health in India.
Table of Contents
She posted on the ‘r/Gurgaon’ subreddit, writing: “I’m 21 (F) and I work in Gurgaon. I just don’t understand why mental health is still treated like a joke in India.”
She explained that she had been struggling for weeks and had repeatedly informed her managers, but her concerns were largely ignored.
Struggles at Work
The woman described a breakdown she experienced at the office. “A few days ago, I even had a breakdown in the office — I couldn’t breathe, was hyperventilating, crying nonstop — and still, nothing changed,” she wrote.
Feeling unsupported, she decided to formally contact the HR department. In her email, she explained her situation and requested some time off to focus on her mind well-being.
Request for Time Off
Her email read:
“Hi, I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing to let you know that I’m currently not feeling mentally well.
There’s a lot going on in my personal life that I’m not comfortable sharing at the moment, but it has reached a point where I feel overwhelmed and unable to cope.
I kindly request some time off to focus on my health and seek professional support during this period. I’m truly sorry, but I won’t be able to report to the office today, and I will inform you once I feel ready to return.
I would also appreciate it if I could have some space during this time — I’m finding it difficult to manage calls and messages, and they feel quite overwhelming right now. Your understanding and support would mean a lot to me. Thank you for your compassion and patience.”
Managers’ Reaction
Instead of understanding her situation, the woman claims her managers were angry about her email. A colleague later informed her that her managers mocked her behind her back. “They called me a liar, and even a supervisor joined in, adding more namak mirch. It broke me completely. I never thought being honest about my mental health would turn into something people laugh at,” she said.
She also shared that a colleague sent a message asking if she could still log in and take calls, despite her request for time off.
Reddit Users Show Support
Reddit users responded with empathy and advice. Many agreed that condition is still not taken seriously in Indian workplaces. One user wrote: “Yes, mental health is a joke in this country, but what’s worse is sharing your mental health woes in India.”
Another user said: “People like these assume that if we have a working body and fingers to type on a keyboard, we can be treated however they like.”
Advice from the Online Community
Several users offered practical advice. A psychology student suggested she consult a professional, saying, “It really helps.”
READ ALSO- Video of African King Arriving in UAE With 15 Wives and 100 Aides Goes Viral AgainOthers reminded her to set clear boundaries with her managers. “Your manager isn’t your friend. Just say you’re unwell and log off,” one user advised.
Another user mentioned that specifying a tentative return time could help employers understand her absence better.
Workplace in India
This incident highlights a larger issue: conversations about mental health in Indian workplaces often lack empathy, especially for young employees trying to balance professional expectations with personal well-being. Many employees still fear judgment or ridicule when requesting mental health support.
Experts say that fostering a culture of understanding, offering mental health days, and providing access to counseling can help employees perform better and reduce workplace stress.
The Gurugram woman’s story shows the struggles many young professionals face when prioritizing their mental health. While her managers’ reaction was disappointing, the viral post has sparked important discussions about the need for empathy and support for mental Health well-being in Indian offices.
By
Sign up to get 100 USDT says:
