Calling in Sick for Mental Health: What to Say to Your Employer

Mental health is an integral part of overall health, and taking time off when you’re feeling mentally unwell is just as important as calling in sick when you’re physically ill. Yet, for many people, calling in sick for mental health can feel difficult. 

Whether it’s fear of judgment, worries about workplace culture, or uncertainty over how to phrase the request, many hesitate to prioritize their mental well-being. In this blog, we’ll cover why mental health days are essential, how to navigate the conversation with your employer, and how to prepare for common questions that may come up.

Why Would I Call in Sick for Mental Health?

Mental health days offer essential time to rest, recharge, and reflect on your mental and emotional health. Feeling chronically overwhelmed or ignoring signs of burnout can negatively impact one’s well-being, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. By recognizing the importance of mental health days, you can cultivate a balance between work and personal life. 

Mental Health Scenarios That May Require You to Take a Day Off of Work

There are various mental health scenarios where taking a day off is appropriate. Here are a few examples:

1. Excessive Stress: When work or personal issues create overwhelming stress, it can impair your concentration, decision-making, and performance. Taking a mental health day can allow you to process these emotions and regain your focus.
2. Anxiety: If you experience severe anxiety—whether due to work pressures or personal concerns—it can result in both mental and physical symptoms, such as racing thoughts, nausea, and fatigue. Taking a day to address these feelings and calm your mind is beneficial not only to you but to your work as well.
3. Depression Symptoms: Depression can drain your motivation, energy, and even basic functionality, making it challenging to meet work demands. Sometimes, taking a day to prioritize mental health can prevent a full burnout and give you the energy needed to resume your work with renewed strength.
4. Burnout: Burnout is the result of prolonged stress and can lead to feelings of exhaustion, negativity toward work, and reduced effectiveness. If you’re feeling drained, unmotivated, and disconnected from your tasks, it’s essential to take a mental health day to prevent these feelings from escalating.

What to Say When Calling in Sick for Mental Health

Calling in sick for mental health can feel vulnerable, but it’s entirely valid. Here’s how to approach the conversation, along with tips on what to say to your employer:

1. Keep It Simple: Use direct, straightforward language. For example, “I’m not feeling well and need to take a sick day” is a simple statement that doesn’t invite further questioning. It also emphasizes your need for a day off without oversharing personal details.
2. Be Honest but Brief: If you feel comfortable sharing the reason, a brief mention like “I need to take a mental health day” can be sufficient. This conveys the purpose of your absence without elaborating. Remember, mental health days are just as valid as physical sick days.
3. Use General Language if Preferred: If you’d rather not specify mental health, general language such as “I’m unwell and need to take a sick day” or “I’m unable to work today due to health reasons” is often enough. Employers usually respect the boundaries of employees’ personal health matters, especially for a short-term absence.
4. Check Your Company’s Policy: Some workplaces are more transparent about supporting mental health than others. If your workplace openly supports mental health, you may feel more at ease mentioning a mental health day specifically. In other cases, you might opt for a neutral approach.

Can My Employer Deny Mental Health Sick Leave?

In most cases, mental health issues qualify as legitimate reasons for sick leave. Many countries, including the U.S., regard mental health conditions as a protected category under employment law [1]. However, your employer may have specific policies for taking leave, especially for extended absences, so it’s essential to understand your rights and responsibilities in this area.

1. Short-Term Sick Leave: For a single mental health day, you typically don’t need to provide extensive details. You can state that you’re unwell; in most instances, your employer cannot deny a one-day absence for health reasons.
2. Extended Leave: If your mental health issues require an extended period off, you might need to follow a formal leave procedure, potentially involving a doctor’s note. For example, in the U.S., the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave for eligible employees needing extended time off due to serious health conditions, including mental health issues [1].

What if I Need an Extended Leave of Absence?

If you need more than a day or two to manage your mental health, an extended leave of absence may be appropriate. Here’s how to navigate this process:

1. Inform Your Employer: Start by discussing your situation with HR or your supervisor, focusing on your need for an extended leave to address health concerns. You don’t need to disclose specifics if you’re uncomfortable, but you can frame it as necessary for your recovery and long-term health.
2. Consider a Doctor’s Note: If required, you can provide a doctor’s note from a licensed mental health professional. A doctor’s note typically includes your diagnosis, recommended treatment plan, and expected duration of leave, helping to legitimize your request.
3. Understand Your Rights: In the U.S., mental health falls under the category of serious health conditions covered by the FMLA. Knowing your rights can give you peace of mind and help prevent workplace issues.

Do I Need to Give a Reason?

No, you don’t have to provide a detailed reason when calling in sick, whether it’s for mental health or a physical issue. Simply saying, “I need to take a sick day” is generally sufficient. Employers often don’t require details, especially for single-day absences, respecting employee privacy on personal health matters.

Here are a few things to consider before communicating your mental health needs to your employer:

1. Is Your Boss Trustworthy?: Consider how much you trust your employer when deciding how much to share. In open, supportive workplaces, you might feel comfortable mentioning mental health directly. However, if you’re unsure, keeping your explanation concise and neutral is often best. Workplace culture plays a significant role in shaping the level of detail employees feel safe sharing.
2. Can You Plan Ahead?: While it’s not always possible to plan for mental health days, you might consider scheduling time off during periods of anticipated high stress. Planning ahead can provide you with a set time to relax, reset, and prevent mental health issues from escalating. It also helps you structure your workload around your time off.
3. Can a Mental Health Professional Write a Doctor’s Note for Work?: a mental health professional such as a therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist can provide a doctor’s note for work. This can be particularly useful if you need an extended leave or if your employer requires documentation for health-related absences. If you’re seeing a mental health professional, don’t hesitate to request a doctor’s note to support your time off, especially if it’s needed for a long-term leave.

Mental Health and Calling out of Work | FAQs

Mental health challenges may arise for reasons other than daily stress. The following provides further detail on commonly asked questions about calling out of work for mental health reasons. 

How do I tell my boss I am mentally unwell?

The best approach is to be straightforward and respectful. You might say, “I’m not feeling well today and need to take a sick day.” Alternatively, if you feel comfortable, you could be specific: “I need a mental health day to take care of myself.” Being concise and clear is often the best way to approach this conversation. When others pause, we may feel pressured to add more details, but it’s essential to maintain your established boundaries in potentially stressful conversations.

How do I call in sick for mental health?

Calling in sick for mental health can be approached in a way that feels comfortable to you. Here are some options:

• General Approach: You can keep things professional and free of too much detail by saying, “I’m unwell and will need a sick day today.”
• Honest Approach: If you feel comfortable with your employer’s opinion about mental health, you may provide more specific detail by saying,  “I need a mental health day to take care of some personal well-being.”

Both options are professional and show that you’re taking proactive steps to maintain your health.

Is anxiety a reason to call in sick?

Yes, anxiety is a valid reason to take a day off. If you’re experiencing high levels of anxiety that impact your ability to function or concentrate, taking a mental health day can be beneficial. Many employees find that a day to address anxiety can help prevent more severe issues and promote long-term productivity.

What do I say when calling in for work-related stress?

If work-related stress has reached an unmanageable level, taking a day off to recover is an appropriate response. Here are some ways to communicate this:

• “I need to take a sick day due to high stress levels.”
• “I’m unwell today and will be taking a day off to rest and recharge.”

If work stress is an ongoing issue, consider reaching out to HR or discussing long-term solutions with your supervisor.

Is it okay to call in sick for a mental health day?

Yes, calling in sick for a mental health day is completely acceptable. Mental health days are crucial to maintaining overall wellness, and taking a day to recharge can prevent burnout, reduce anxiety, and boost productivity. Don’t hesitate to take time for yourself if you need it.

What are some examples of what to say when calling in sick?

Here are a few examples of how to communicate that you’re taking a mental health day:

1. “I’m feeling unwell and need to take the day to rest.”
2. “I need to take a mental health day to recharge.”
3. “I’m dealing with some personal health issues and will be taking a day off.”
4. “I’m taking a mental health day to focus on my well-being and reset.”

When should I seek help for my mental health?

Mental health is a vital component of overall well-being, and taking time off when needed is a crucial act of self-care. When mental health is neglected, stress and anxiety can build up, sometimes leading to physical health issues.

Whether you have a diagnosed mental health condition or simply find it challenging to juggle life’s demands, seeking professional support is essential if work is persistently affecting your well-being.

Remember, you’re not obligated to disclose personal health details to your employer. By using respectful language and taking proactive steps to care for your mental health, you can foster a balanced and healthy work environment for yourself and others.

Receive Compassionate Treatment for Mental Health Conditions at Connections

Taking a mental health day can prevent burnout, relieve stress, and help you reset, which can positively affect your work performance. However, if chronic stress, anxiety, or depression persist beyond what a few days off can fix, it may be time to seek professional support.

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health illnesses like anxiety and depression – treatment is available, and recovery is possible at Connections. Our 24/7 staff provides compassionate treatments uniquely tailored to your needs. 

Our world-class facilities offer a variety of treatments, including:

• 24/7 clinically supervised care
• Peaceful oceanside location
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• Dual-diagnosis mental health treatment
• Aftercare planning
• Counseling
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Aftercare
• & More

Call our friendly recovery team today at 844-759-0999

Sources

1. https://www.dol.gov/general/mental-health-at-work#:~:text=Under%20the%20FMLA%2C%20covered%20employers,perform%20and%20keep%20their%20job.
2. https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/healthu/2022/02/08/signs-that-you-need-a-mental-health-day
3. https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/time-off