Taking a Mental Health Day in Ontario: Do You Need a Sick Note?
Mental health days are legitimate sick days in Ontario. Learn when you need documentation and when a single day off doesn't require a note.
## Mental Health Days Are Legitimate Sick Days
Mental health conditions are treated the same as physical health conditions under Ontario employment law.
## Do You Need a Sick Note?
For a single mental health day:
- Most employers don't require documentation for 1-day absences
- Ontario's ESA provides 3 unpaid sick days without mandating notes
- Employer cannot demand to know if it's physical or mental health
## When to Consider Documentation
- Employer has strict documentation policy
- Concerned about job security
- Taking multiple mental health days
- Want to establish pattern for future accommodation
## Mental Health Days vs. Accommodation
If you regularly need mental health days, consider an accommodation letter instead: scheduled mental health day per month, flexible hours for therapy, or modified workload.
## Getting Support
MedLetter provides both single-day sick notes and accommodation letters for mental health from CPSO-registered physicians.