Is Mental Health a Valid Reason for Sick Leave in the UK?

Yes — mental health is a legally valid reason for sick leave in the UK. Conditions such as:

● Stress

● Anxiety

● Depression

● Burnout

● Panic disorders

are treated exactly the same as physical illnesses under UK employment law.

If your mental health is affecting your ability to work safely or effectively, you are entitled to take sick leave and, when required, obtain a sick note.

Do You Need a Sick Note for Mental Health?

The same rules apply as for physical illness. You:

● Do not need a sick note for the first 7 calendar days

● Can self-certify during this period

● Only need a sick note if symptoms last longer than 7 days

Mental health conditions are not exempt from self-certification — and they are not treated differently by law.

What Counts as a Mental Health Sick Leave?

Mental health sick leave may be appropriate if you are experiencing:

● Persistent stress affecting sleep or concentration

● Anxiety or panic attacks

● Low mood or depression

● Emotional exhaustion or burnout

● Difficulty coping with work demands

You do not need a formal diagnosis to:

● Self-certify sickness, or

● Be assessed by a doctor for a sick note

Doctors assess functional impact, not labels.

Can Your Employer Question Mental Health Sick Leave?

Employers must be careful here. They:

● Cannot dismiss mental health as “not real”

● Cannot demand diagnosis details

● Cannot treat mental health absence less favourably

Mental health conditions are protected under equality and employment law, particularly where they meet the definition of a disability.

Employers can:

● Ask how long you may be off

● Discuss reasonable adjustments

● Follow absence management procedures fairly

They cannot:

● Pressure you to return before you’re fit

● Penalise you for taking legitimate sick leave

● Require medical details beyond the sick note

What Will a Mental Health Sick Note Say?

A sick note for mental health will usually state either:

● “Not fit for work”, or

● “May be fit for work” with adjustments

Adjustments might include:

● Reduced hours

● Temporary remote work

● Lighter duties

● Phased return

The note will not usually list your diagnosis.

How Long Can Mental Health Sick Leave Last?

There is no fixed legal limit. Short-term:

● 1–2 weeks for acute stress or anxiety

Medium-term: 

● Several weeks for burnout or depression

Longer-term absence may involve:

● Occupational health input

● Ongoing GP or mental health support

● Workplace adjustments

Duration is based on clinical judgment, not employer preference.

Can You Get a Mental Health Sick Note Online?

Yes — remote assessment is often appropriate for mental health. Mental health assessments rely on:

● Discussion of symptoms

● Functional impact

● Risk assessment

Physical examination is usually not required.

Services like Dr Sicks allow patients to be assessed remotely by UK-registered clinicians, which can be especially helpful when:

● GP appointments are unavailable

● Anxiety makes attending in person difficult

● You need timely certification after self-certification ends

A legitimate service will:

● Assess properly

● Decline requests where inappropriate

● Signpost urgent care if risk is identified

What If You Feel Pressured to Work Through Mental Illness?

This is common — and problematic. Working while unwell can:

● Worsen symptoms

● Delay recovery

● Increase risk of long-term absence

You are entitled to:

● Take sick leave

● Use self-certification

● Seek medical support

If pressure continues, employees may seek advice from HR, unions, or employment advisers.

Can Mental Health Sick Leave Affect Your Job?

Legitimate sick leave:

● Should not be grounds for dismissal

● Should not affect promotion unfairly

● Should not be used against you

However, long-term absence may lead to:

● Capability processes

● Occupational health reviews

These must be handled fairly, proportionately, and lawfully.

Key Takeaways

● Mental health is a valid reason for sick leave

● Self-certification applies for the first 7 days

● Sick notes are required only after day 7

● Employers cannot demand diagnosis details

● Online mental health sick notes are legitimate when properly issued

Prioritising Mental Health at Work

Mental health sick leave isn’t about avoiding work — it’s about recovery. Early support and appropriate time off:

● Reduce long-term absence

● Improve return-to-work outcomes

● Protect both employees and employers

Understanding your rights helps you recover without added stress.