Paid sick leave and access to mental health care
Official title: Paid Sick Leave Mandates and Mental Healthcare Service Use
Funded at George Mason University · NIH-11318894 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether paid sick leave laws help workers and their families get needed mental health care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Mason University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fairfax, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $529,864 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132552-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11318894 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The focus is on employed adults (including parents and caregivers) and their children living or working in U.S. states or cities with or without paid sick leave mandates.
✕Less likely to help
People who are unemployed, work in informal or gig roles without leave, or who face other barriers such as cost or local provider shortages may not receive direct benefit from paid sick leave policies.
What this research studies
If you are a worker or a parent, this research compares places that passed paid sick leave rules with those that did not to see if more people use mental health services after mandates. The team will analyze large health, employment, and survey datasets and apply quasi-experimental methods to separate the policy effect from other changes over time. They will study both adults and children, including parents scheduling care for dependents, and examine differences across income and job types. The goal is to understand whether mandated paid sick days make it easier for families to attend appointments and follow through with treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the research finds paid sick leave increases use of mental health services, it could support policies that make it easier for workers and families to get timely mental health care.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows paid sick leave can increase general healthcare use, but evidence specifically about its effects on mental health care is limited and this project builds on that newer area.
Where this research is happening
-
George Mason University
Fairfax, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maclean, Johanna Catherine — George Mason University
- Study coordinator: Maclean, Johanna Catherine
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.