Mental health problem increases sick leave by 2.5%

The number of sick leave periods increased by 7,000 in 2017, which is 2.5% higher compared to the previous year, National Broadcaster Yle reported quoting a research conducted by the national social insurance institution, Kela.

The number was on steady decline in the last 10 years.

The head of the research team Jenni Blomgren told Yle that the economic changes have been noted to affect the number of sick days per year.

“When the economy is booming, even people with restricted ability to work have a better chance of being employed,” Blomgren told Yle, adding, “then again people may also feel more comfortable taking days off for poor health if the threat of unemployment is minimal.”

The Kela statistics also pointed out that the sick leave increased significantly following increase of mental health complaints, which were 16% higher than the previous year.