Mental health is just as important as physical health, so you have a right to take time off if you're unwell. What makes the conversation with your manager even easier is you don't need to provide details as to why you're taking the leave.
Calling in sick for mental health reasons is perfectly valid. A sick day can give you time to practice self-care, allowing you to return to your day-to-day life feeling calmer and refreshed. Not all employers may see it this way as stigma against mental illness is still rife.
Although stress is a mental condition, it's legally treated the same as physical illness and if you're feeling unwell or unable to cope owing to stress, you can approach your GP and seek time off work to help you recover.
It can be really beneficial to take a mental health day, so there's a break from the usual hectic routine which can also be a trigger for mental health issues. Having a free, unstructured day can allow the person to let go of negative thoughts and feelings that usually come up in response to stress and anxiety.”
The term “mental health day” typically refers to taking a day off of work or school to focus on your emotional wellness. It's similar to a traditional sick day, except that you don't need to have a physical illness or injury to use it.
“Recently I've been having a hard time with my [condition] and am going to take a sick day today to try and rest up. I'll be back tomorrow.” “I'm feeling burnt out, and am planning to take a sick day today to take care of my mental health. I'll be back in the office tomorrow, thank you for understanding.”
“There is no legal difference between taking a day off for mental health problems and calling in sick with a physical illness or injury,” notes Susie.
Being burned out means feeling empty and mentally exhausted, devoid of motivation, and beyond caring. People experiencing burnout often don't see any hope of positive change in their situations. If excessive stress feels like you're drowning in responsibilities, burnout is a sense of being all dried up.
When writing or sharing your request over the phone, be honest and keep it brief. For example, “I'm not feeling well today, so it's best I stay home. I'll let you know if I'm better tomorrow,” is an acceptable way to call in sick.
Paradoxically, skipping sick days can cause you to lose out on productive work days. A few reasons for this: When you're sick, you have a harder time focusing, can't concentrate for as long, and may have a difficult time looking at screens for an extended period of time.
Stress and mental illness are valid reasons for taking time off work, but evidence suggests a significant number of employees still feel uncomfortable about taking time off for these issues.
Anytime you need to call out you should give your supervisor as much notice as possible before your shift begins, when possible you should contact your employer at least 2 hours before your shift so that they can plan and prepare for your absence.
You should seek the help of medical professionals such as a psychotherapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist if you experience prolonged periods of a low mood, aversion or disinterest in activities or work, disruptions to your sleep, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
The book identifies the four stages of burnout (disillusionment) as enthusiasm, stagnation, frustration, and apathy.
Explain in clear terms what you believe is leading to burnout. Examples include unreasonable deadlines, unfair treatment, and unclear expectations. Morand recommends reminding your boss that you value your job and are being honest in an effort to resolve the burnout.
It's true that stress and burnout often overlap. But burnout refers to work-related exhaustion, feeling overwhelmed and a sense of feeling "stuck," with no pathway forward. Unlike stress, where you can imagine feeling better once things settle, burnout feels hopeless.
Be clear and concise, stating the specifics of how your mental health problems are impacting your work. The point here is to keep it professional and appropriate—your boss is not a therapist or close friend, so you need to stick to what matter's to the workplace.
When should someone take time off work for mental health? Someone should take a mental health leave from work when they feel overwhelmed due to stress and feel that they can't function properly. The time off can be used to take a breather and focus on self-care, while getting away from the source of the stress.
Contact your GP as soon as you know you'll need a fit note, and get the first appointment you can. Be honest and forward when answering their questions, so they can build a truthful picture of your issues. If your doctor decides your problems affect your fitness for work, they can issue a fit note.
Taking Time Off from Work Due to Depression
Employees diagnosed with major depression are permitted to take time off work to get treatment and recover from depression. In addition to being protected by the ADA, employees are also protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
You should take 1 mental health day per month, psychologist says—here are 4 great ways to use them. When you're under pressure and feeling stressed, you might feel irresponsible taking time off from work.