So in the UK if you go to a doctor (free) and they think you're stressed they sign you off and work pay you anyway. Sadly my wife had an serious accident so wasnt able to work for a year (still only PT) but in that year she got full pay for 6 months then half pay for 6 months. If she was signed off for stress / mental health it would have been the same. Do you not get sick leave in the US? Can't you all just claim to be stressed?