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I can’t get DMs to work so here’s my advice:
I’m sorry you are experiencing this. I’ve taken leave for mental health. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. And I’m incredibly proud of you for recognizing you’re not in a good place right now and doing something about it.
The process is not hard. Mention to your GP and therapist that you would like to take a leave of absence from work to recover, and when you’d like to get it moving. Ask them what they think the duration should be. They will be responsible for filling out paperwork that you’ll get from HR.
Speaking of HR, you’ll need to let them know that you’ll need to take leave via FMLA. You do NOT (and shouldn’t) tell them the reason why. That’s between you and your doctors. HR will share paperwork as well as advise on how to communicate your leave to your manager and team, backfill, etc. Again, you do not need to share the need for your leave; a simple, “I’m out on medical leave” works fine. The paperwork for FMLA is incredibly simple and you have up to three months of short-term disability where they have to keep your job for you while you are out.
One thing to know: FMLA is unpaid. However, odds are high your company has short term disability insurance that will ensure you are paid for the duration of your leave. The paperwork for this is a bit more intrusive and detailed but it’s worth it. Your doctors will help complete it with you.
No one talks about this but leave for mental health is incredibly common. My doctor told me the number of requests they completed in the past four years is high and only increasing.
Genuinely, congratulations for taking steps to take care of yourself. Let me know what questions you have and I’ll do my best to help.
It’s okay, you didn’t know any better. I suggest you email HR and recap that in the convo you had on X date, they agreed to keep the reason for your leave confidential and would not inform your boss. Ask them if they have any additions to your recap. You’re covering your bases here.
Re:leave, is that turnaround time for insurance or FMLA? I’m guessing it’s the former (it was in my case), in which you can still go out on FMLA but also be retroactively paid to the start of your leave once short term disability is approved. If your financial situation allows, it’s worth considering.
Go see a therapist! They will be able to take care of you and get you a note for HR so you can best discuss how to handle. Best of luck to feel much better soon.
Rising Star
I have a friend who took a 2-month FMLA leave for mental health last year (works remotely for a big tech company) without much hassle. I think their therapist was able to grease the wheels.
I am also in this boat and following