I know this is wrong..need a week off sick

[StressedHayley]

I’m struggling with my job and my mental health is being affected.
I want to take a week off but can’t say it’s my mental health (personal reason, a very good reason I can’t go into). I know this is wrong but I’m getting past caring.

What can I say I’ve got?

I wouldn’t lie to your employer.

Just say you have norovirus and need to recover if you're desperate not to disclose it's MH. But be mindful you will need to stay at home then, you don't want to be seen out and lose your job. Is this definitely a good thing?

Or you could take annual leave instead.

Personally I'd reconsider disclosing the real reason to your employer because it could offer you the right support and additional protection in the workplace which you'll likely need longer term.

You don't need to give a reason beyond e.g. stress/ burnout/ anxiety.

All the best.

So the point of your thread is to ask what lie to tell? Surely if you want to lie, then you can tell any lie you want.

You can self certify for 7 days (inc weekends) without a doctors note. They will likely do a return to work meeting though so unless you have a watertight story it's risky