Scroll Top
Article
  • Home
  • Article
  • Can CEOs afford duvet days? Breaking the mental health stigma at the top

Can CEOs afford duvet days? Breaking the mental health stigma at the top

can-ceos-afford-duvet-days-breaking-the-mental-health-stigma-at-the-top

We’re all talking about mental health more these days, but can executive leaders really put it into practice with a 'duvet day'? We decided to find out - and made a striking finding about mental health at the C-suite level. So what’s holding executives back from prioritising and talking about their own mental health?

The idea of 'duvet days' - those unplanned mental health breaks - is catching on in workplaces, but can CEOs really take them?

To explore this idea, Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) recently canvassed CEOs from different industries about their openness to taking a 'duvet day'. The findings were striking: although many were willing to respond, very few felt comfortable actually taking mental health days or being publicly named in the process. This highlights the significant pressure CEOs face, despite efforts to normalise mental health discussions.

Todd Scott, owner of the National Business Review (NBR) and a key figure in New Zealand’s media, shared with ROW that previous experience taught him "it's something that you hide, and it's a very lonely, hidden challenge."

Scott recounts concealing struggles from superiors and staff in the past, noting, “The last thing that my boss would have wanted to have known is that I had any mental health issues because I wouldn’t have lasted long.”

"You cannot allow for anybody to feel like you're not on top of your game or you have any doubts in yourself, your business, or your strategy," he says.

After the New Zealand rugby team's recent loss, Todd Scott, owner of NBR, highlights the importance of 'duvet days' for mental health, reminding us that even the best need a break sometimes.

the Hidden cost behind closed doors

Scott’s experience resonates with other leaders ROW spoke to, reflecting just how isolating mental health struggles can be at the top.

Want to read more?

Sign in below if you're already a subscriber.

Not a member yet?
Join in seconds! Just $10/month. Cancel anytime.

Limited end-of-year offer: Start now and get ready for 2025!
Sign up for 12 months and pay for just 6*. Offer ends Fri 20 Dec 24. Use coupon at checkout: 12FOR6NOW

Subscribe now


 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline feedback
View all comments
RELATED ARTICLES
LATEST NEWS
Powered By MemberPress WooCommerce Plus Integration
Privacy Preferences
When you visit our website, it may store information through your browser from specific services, usually in form of cookies. Here you can change your privacy preferences. Please note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our website and the services we offer.