To ask about sick notes for mental health issues

[User500400]

I’ve been singed off with depression for four weeks now. I’m being given two weekly notes is this what normally happens? It’s going to end of my sick note and I’m still not feeling ready to go back to work. Can I ask to be singed off for longer as being singed off once every two weeks is not allowing me to time to switch off from work and focus on my recovery. I’m thinking maybe for a month?

Yes, your GP can sign you off for more than 2 weeks, explain how it is making you feel.

Four weeks would be fairly standard.

It depends on how often your GP needs to see you, for instance if you are at risk of harm or serious deterioration. Two weeks is standard for the first few times, so you can be regularly monitored, then it can be anything from that to four or twelve weeks.

Yes go back to GP and explain. Hopefully they will sign you off for 4 weeks and you'll be able to switch off. Good luck OP x

As everyone says keep a dialog going with your GP.

If you can keep a mood diary between now and your next appointment, please do so it will really help. make an appointment just before the note runs out

Ask your GP for a steps to well-being referral.

You can go back just before the two weeks ends and get another sick note. My go wanted to see me every two weeks to assess how I was and would write me a further line.

Yes you can get signed off for longer than 2 weeks at a time, just ask your GP. I've known colleagues to be signed off for 8 weeks for m/h reasons, it actually makes it easier for your manager as they can get a temp in, rather than thinking you're coming back at the end of each fortnight.

Hope you feel better soon

Yes, I asked my GP to sign me off for longer as it was really stressing me out the thought that I might have to go back at the end of the two weeks - each further note brought 2 days of relief followed by 12 days of increasing panic.

I had four months off for mental health issues a few years ago, the longest single sick note was 6 weeks, but that was because it was over Christmas and new year and I was almost ready to go back so didn’t need closer monitoring. Initially I had several 2 week periods.

Talk to your GP and explain that feeling like you’re expected to go back in 2 weeks isn’t helping your recovery and ask them to extend it to 4 or 6 weeks at a time, you can still see them at 2 week intervals if needed.