Advice on taking time off for mental health

[Frenchie85]

I need to take time off work as my mental health is crumbling, and I feel on the verge of break down.
Work stress is a big part of my MH issues (anxiety and depression), it has been on-going for some time, but I've now reached a point where I really need to take some time to reset, away from the pressures.
How do I formulate my email to my manager to inform them I won't be in for this reason?

Acknowledging you need time off is often the hardest part. Do you have support around you and have you thought about what you can do with the time off to reduce stress?

In my workplace there’s a policy about stress, there’s also some in house counsellors.

Have you talked to your GP about getting signed off? That I think is where I would start. And then ask to meet or talk with manager...

@PeridotCricket thanks, I'm going to try and get to gp tomorrow. I do have support around; ideally I need to take myself somewhere to be alone for a week or two, but realistically that will not happen, so will have to settle for a few days at home I think.
Don't think there is a stress/mental health policy but I will check. We do have access to free counselling telephone service, so might give them a call tomorrow too.
I would rather speak to manager directly, but cannot face going in tomorrow, might request a telephone call after I've been to gp.

Just call in tomorrow and say you're ill. Get yourself a GP appointment and some help.
When I was in this situation, I thought a week off would sort me out, but I saw a lovely GP who insisted I needed a fortnight.
After you've seen the GP, email your manager with an update. You don't have to speak to them unless your sickness policy requires it.

@mineofuselessinformation thanks for the info; i do think I will need longer than a few days, but worried about being off for too long, never been off for more than 2 days in a row, ever.
I will follow your advice though, and go with what GP says.

It’s a balance between enough time to start to get yourself on the right track and not too much that you lose all desire to go back.

But really in the scheme of things tak8ng a couple of weeks out should be possible.

I would tell your manager you have e GP app't and will call after that.

Be honest when you talk, how much is work versus outside issues? Can anything help you cope better in work ie adjustments? Use all available tools including the counselling available from work & anything your GP offers

Good luck today

Instead of sick leave could you take it as annual leave ? x

We have a policy that you ha E to speak to your manager. I have dealt with some of this recently. Under our policy I would be fine to get a text / email from a member of staff with a call later in the day once the hard bit of saying it was done.

We have made arrangements with staff that they can exit for a breather etc if required. I like to think we are a supportive employer.

And I wouldn't support someone taking annual leave if they are sick.

Can't take annual leave during term time. Went to GP and been signed off for 2 weeks and referred for therapy. I've emailed manager and said we can arrange a phone call to put things in place to cover my absence if need be, and I have attached a scanned copy of my sick certificate.
Will wait to see their response.
Thank you for all the advice