to ask for an excuse to call off work for 3 days

[trekking1]

Please help, need an excuse why I am calling off work for the next 3 days. The real reason is I am mentally struggling and can't cope with work but I cannot be honest about that.

Covid?

Ideally just tell them the reason, otherwise I would say sickness and diarrhoea. Have to stay home 48 hours after last incident of it.

UTI

Mental health is a valid reason!

Fine if it’s a one off, but You need to see your GP, as you won’t be able to make excuses, if you continue to struggle.

If you are struggling then you should see your GP anyway. They will probably sign you off for mental health issues, but hopefully offer you some help with what you’re going through. Hang in there.

How will your employer know how to support you if they don't know you are suffering from poor MH?

I agree that you should be honest about the reason because it might help get the support you need and lying about the reason might blow up later.

If you have annual leave to use, you could play it down and say you need a break and would like to take a few days leave to take a little break at home.

why can't you be honest? It's a valid reason.

I know mental health can still be highly stigmatised in some areas, but its been nothing but helpful when I've been honest about what's happening - it helps with returns to work and having frank discussion on what you're finding difficult.

Otherwise, I'd say Covid, or whatever illness is doing the rounds.

Try your GP. You might find 3 days isn't enough and then if you need more, whatever reason you previously used is just going to look bad overall. Please don't be discouraged by discussing your MH. Your work does need to support this.

A friend of mine had this situation and in telling their employer they were given such a lot of great support they weren’t expecting. Is this not an option for you?

Food poisoning

Whatever you say, please use the time to try and see your GP and get some support.

Vomiting like crazy with 40 degrees temperature.
For everyone advising to tell the "truth" - you probably never had toxic employer. Me ex boss would tell for every single person and would make jokes for 5 years after you call in sick with MH.

I was in similar experience.
Do you have any other health issues to get sick note?
I have arthritis and got sick note for it. But the real reason was MH.

Not that I think anyone cares about my silly little thread, but here is an update: I called off and was honest about it.

I felt like a hypocrite believing calling off for mental health should be normalised but not doing it myself.

It feels like a weight being lifted off my shoulders.

Good for you! I hope you feel better soon

Well done! Hiding it could have just made you feel worse. Hope it has the desired effect

Well done. Did you feel supported?

I hope you get some support and start to feel better soon OP

Take the time you need, especially if the reason is work related. Don't rush back too soon.

And it wasn't a silly thread, it was the first step you needed to take.

You are absolutely not a hypocrite. You are brave facing up to problems. I hope you get the help you need.

Hi Op it's not a silly little thread I hope your work were sympathetic and can provide some support for you some do have access to great mental health services, I personally would visit your gp to see what is available to you I know in my area they offer talking therapy which is great for some people. Do you feel that amount of time will be enough is it a case of you needing a reboot or has this been building up for a while? If the later if financially viable it may be worth taking a little longer if you burn out having not dealt with the initial symptoms /problems you may be off for longer which may add to your stress, either way op I really hope you feel in a better place soon and happier in yourself, periods of poor mental health are the pits xxx

Just be honest.