Taking mental health leave can feel confusing or out of reach – even when you know you need it.
You know you need a break. You feel the burnout creeping in (or, let’s be honest, hitting you like a freight train). But how do you actually do it?
That was my struggle too. Even in Australia, where we have relatively generous workplace leave entitlements, I hesitated. I worried about stigma, about work, about whether I was “just being dramatic.”
But after pushing through burnout for years, I finally took a proper mental health break – twice. The first time, I used a mish-mash of different types of leave because I was scared to ask for sick leave. The second time, I learned from my mistakes and did it differently.
Here’s how I made it happen – and how you can too.
Understanding Mental Health Leave Entitlements in Australia
If you’re in Australia, you have more options than you might think.
There is no specific entitlement called “Mental Health Leave” but we have many different types of leave available to us:
Sick Leave (Personal Leave)
- Under the Fair Work Act, full-time employees get 10 days of paid sick/carers leave per year, which accrues indefinitely if unused.
- This means if you don’t take sick days often, you can accumulate a substantial balance over time. But ideally, you use them when you need to – to take care of your health early, rather than letting issues pile up.
- Importantly, you can use sick leave for mental health reasons. You are not required to explain details – just provide a medical certificate if/when requested.
Annual Leave
- You can take annual leave (your standard paid holiday leave) for any reason, including to support your mental health. However, it typically requires advance approval and coordination with your employer.
Long Service Leave (LSL)
- In most Australian states, after 10 years with the same employer, you become eligible for paid long service leave (usually around 8–10 weeks depending on which state you’re in).
- This leave can absolutely be used for a mental health break – and many people do – but note that if you have enough sick leave accrued you don’t need to use your long service leave this way.
- Some states offer pro-rata access after 7 years, so it’s worth checking the rules in your state.
- More details on Long Service Leave by state.
Unpaid Leave & Sabbaticals
- Some organisations offer sabbaticals or extended unpaid leave, but this depends on company policy and usually requires manager and HR approval.
- If you’re out of paid leave and need time off for mental health reasons, you can request unpaid leave, but it’s at your employer’s discretion.
If you don’t have any of those options
- Consider flexible work arrangements – Reduced hours, temporary part-time work, or remote work could be an alternative.
- While few mental health organisations provide direct financial assistance, services like Centrelink, Mind Australia, and SANE can offer support, referrals, and guidance to help reduce the burden of taking time off.
Break #1 – My First Time Taking Time Off (What I Did Wrong)
The first time I took a break, I was deep in burnout but too scared to ask for sick leave. I didn’t know my rights, and I worried about the stigma.
This was during the COVID lockdowns, and I had over 90 days of sick leave accrued. I also had long service leave available, but I hesitated to use it – I’d dreamed for years of using that leave for travel, and we couldn’t travel at the time.
Looking back, I should have just used my sick leave.
Instead, I pieced together a patchwork of leave:
• 4 weeks of long service leave
• 2 weeks of sick leave (I reluctantly used a small amount)
• 1 week of annual leave
• 1 week of unpaid leave
It worked, but it was more complicated than it needed to be.
At the time, I didn’t realise how simple it would have been to take sick leave for the entire duration. The truth is, sick leave is the most appropriate form of leave to use for your mental health when you’re experiencing burnout.
Break #2 – Doing It the Right Way
Four years later, I knew I needed another break. My burnout had crept back in, and I could feel history repeating itself.
This time, I initially thought about taking a sabbatical – but when I approached HR, they surprised me.
They asked:
Why would you take a sabbatical to deal with burnout, when you have an abnormal amount of sick leave available?
That conversation changed everything.
HR reminded me that:
- Sabbaticals required multiple levels of approval and were unpaid.
- Sick leave was much simpler for everyone involved – all I had to do was submit a form with a doctor’s note.
- Sick leave is a legal entitlement, and you can use it – or lose it.
I realised that even as a mental health advocate – even though this is the advice I’d readily give anyone else – I had been avoiding sick leave myself, held back by stigma, despite it being the easiest and most appropriate option.
So, I finally did what I should have done the first time. I took the full two months as paid sick leave.
How to Ask for Mental Health Leave (Without the Stress)
Taking extended leave can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done it before.
Here’s how I approached it:
1. Speak to Your Doctor
I had been seeing my doctor for many years, so she knew my history. I explained how I was feeling, my ongoing burnout, and my concerns about it getting worse. She immediately agreed that I needed time off and gave me a medical certificate.
➡ Tip: You don’t need a long explanation.
A simple statement like:
I’m experiencing burnout and need time off for my mental health.
is enough. Your GP will likely want to discuss it with you, that that’s the perfect place to start.
2. Submit Your Sick Leave Request
In Australia, you don’t have to disclose details to your employer – a medical certificate is all that’s required.
Some workplaces might ask for more information, but legally, you are not obligated to provide specifics.
➡ Tip: If you feel comfortable, being open about mental health can help reduce stigma.
But if you’re not ready, you can simply say:
I need to take extended leave for health reasons.
I have medical documentation confirming this.
3. Talk to Your Manager (If You Want To)
My manager was very understanding, but my experience with leadership in the past had been mixed. Some people are more supportive than others.
➡ Tip: If your workplace is supportive of mental health, having an honest conversation can help break the stigma.
If not, stick to the basics – you are not obligated to explain yourself.
What If You’re Not in Australia?
If you’re in the USA, UK, or another country with different workplace laws, here are some options:
- Check your employment rights – Many countries have leave protections under labour laws.
- Look into FMLA (USA) – The Family and Medical Leave Act provides unpaid leave for medical conditions, including mental health.
- Use short-term disability (USA/Canada) – Some workplaces offer paid leave for mental health conditions.
- Negotiate leave options – If you don’t have sick leave, you may be able to use paid time off, unpaid leave, or a sabbatical.
- Consider flexible work arrangements – Reduced hours, temporary part-time work, or remote work could be an alternative.
Final Thoughts – If You’re Burnt Out, Look Into This
If you know you need time off, start exploring your options.
- Understand your entitlements – Legal entitlements for the country/state you are in, and your workplace leave policies.
- Check your leave balances – You might have more available than you think.
- Talk to HR – They can guide you on policies and entitlements.
- Speak to your doctor – They can provide documentation to support your leave.
- Give yourself permission – Mental health is just as valid as physical health.
Taking time off isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity when you’re burnt out. And if you have sick leave sitting there unused, don’t be afraid to use it. That’s what it’s there for.
And remember, In Australia, you don’t need a separate category for “mental health leave” – your personal leave covers it, just like it would for a physical illness.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. And if you’re struggling, I hope this post helps you feel confident in taking the time you need too.
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