Last reviewed: July 2026
Depression can affect every aspect of your life, including your ability to work. If you are struggling with low mood, fatigue, loss of motivation, or difficulty coping with your job, you may be wondering whether you can be signed off work and get a fit note.
The short answer is yes. In the UK, you can get a fit note for depression if a healthcare professional believes your symptoms are affecting your ability to work safely or effectively.
This guide explains how fit notes for depression work, how to get one, your employment rights, and what support may be available while you are off work.
| Quick answer: can you get a fit note for depression?Yes. You may be able to get a fit note for depression if your symptoms:✅ affect your ability to work✅ make it difficult to concentrate or make decisions✅ cause significant distress, fatigue, or sleep problems✅ worsen because of work-related stress or burnoutA healthcare professional can issue a fit note after an in-person, telephone, or video consultation. |
Can you be signed off work for depression?
Yes. Depression is a recognised health condition that can significantly affect your ability to work. Healthcare professionals regularly issue fit notes for depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
A fit note may be appropriate if your symptoms are making it difficult to:
- Concentrate or make decisions
- Interact with colleagues or customers
- Cope with workplace pressures
- Carry out your normal duties safely
- Attend work consistently
Mental ill-health is one of the leading causes of long-term sickness absence in the UK.
| The scale of the problem According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 22.1 million working days were lost due to stress, depression, or anxiety in 2024/25, an average of 22.9 days per case. An estimated 964,000 workers were affected, a record high and an increase of 180,000 cases on the previous year. Mental ill health now accounts for 52% of all work-related ill health in Great Britain and has overtaken musculoskeletal disorders as the leading cause of long-term work-related absence. |
This highlights the significant impact that mental health conditions can have on people’s ability to remain in work.
Do you need a fit note for depression straight away?
No. In the UK, employees can usually self-certify for the first 7 calendar days of sickness absence, including weekends and bank holidays.
According to the NHS and GOV.UK, you generally only need a fit note if your illness lasts longer than 7 calendar days.
You may also need medical evidence if:
- You are claiming certain benefits.
- You need evidence for an extended period of absence.
For short illnesses, your employer may ask you to complete a self-certification form instead. Read more about self-cert fit notes in the UK.
Can you get a fit note for depression without seeing a doctor in person?
Yes. Many fit notes for depression are now issued following:
- Telephone consultations
- Video appointments
- Online consultations
- Face-to-face appointments
Read our full guide on how to get a fit note online in the UK.
A physical examination is not usually necessary. The healthcare professional simply needs enough information to assess how your symptoms are affecting your fitness for work.
Read more: can you get a fit note without seeing a doctor in person?.
How do you get a fit note for depression?
The process is usually straightforward.
1. Book an appointment
This may be:
- An NHS GP appointment
- A telephone consultation
- A video appointment
- An online GP consultation
2. Discuss your symptoms
The healthcare professional may ask about:
- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Sleep problems
- Loss of motivation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Whether work is affecting your mental health
3. Discuss your job
You may be asked:
- What type of work do you do?
- Are your symptoms affecting your ability to work?
- Is work contributing to your symptoms?
- Would adjustments help?
4. Receive your fit note
If appropriate, you may receive your fit note electronically by email or through your GP surgery.
What does a fit note for depression look like?
A fit note can state that you are:
Not fit for work
This means the healthcare professional believes you should not work during the period covered by the fit note.
May be fit for work
This means you might be able to work if your employer can make suitable adjustments.
Examples may include:
- Reduced hours
- A phased return to work
- Temporary changes to duties
- Working from home
- Avoiding particularly stressful tasks
If these adjustments are not possible, you should be treated as not fit for work.
How long can you be off work with depression?
There is no fixed amount of time.
The length of a fit note depends on:
- The severity of your symptoms
- How your condition affects your work
- Whether treatment has started
- Whether workplace adjustments are possible
Some people may need a few weeks away from work, while others may require a longer period of recovery. Here is our detailed guide on how long a doctor can give a sick note in the UK.
Can you get Statutory Sick Pay for depression?
Potentially. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may qualify for:
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- Contractual sick pay from your employer
Mental health conditions such as depression are treated in the same way as physical illnesses for sick pay purposes.
| SSP in 2026Since 6 April 2026, SSP has been payable from day one of sickness absence for all eligible employees, following the Employment Rights Act 2025. The three-day waiting period and the Lower Earnings Limit have both been removed, and the current rate is £123.25 per week, or 80% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. |
Can depression be considered a disability?
Sometimes. Under the Equality Act 2010, depression may be considered a disability if it has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
This means the condition:
- Has lasted, or is likely to last, at least 12 months; or
- Is likely to recur and have a substantial effect on your day-to-day activities.
If depression meets this definition, your employer may have a legal duty to consider reasonable adjustments, which can overlap with the workplace adjustments a fit note may recommend, such as reduced hours, a phased return, or changes to duties.
What are your rights if you are off work with depression?
If you are off work with depression, you may have several legal rights, including:
- Protection from discrimination
- Confidentiality regarding your health information
- Consideration of reasonable adjustments
- Entitlement to Statutory Sick Pay if eligible
Depression-related absences are increasingly recognised as an important workplace issue, and employers should manage mental health conditions in the same way as physical illnesses. Read more about mental health fit notes in the UK.
Can you lose your job for depression?
Not simply because you have depression. However, employers can manage long-term sickness absence, provided they follow a fair process and comply with employment law.
If your depression meets the definition of a disability under the Equality Act 2010, additional legal protections may apply.
What if work is causing my depression?
Work-related stress, bullying, excessive workloads, or burnout can contribute to depression and poor mental health.
If work is affecting your mental wellbeing:
- Speak to your GP or healthcare professional.
- Discuss workplace adjustments with your employer.
- Consider accessing occupational health support if available. Occupational health is a workplace-focused service, sometimes provided directly by larger employers or via referral, that assesses how a health condition affects someone’s ability to work and advises on practical adjustments.
- Seek support through counselling or employee assistance programmes (EAPs), confidential services many employers fund that offer free short-term counselling, along with practical and legal advice, independently of your employer.
A healthcare professional may issue a fit note if they believe your symptoms are affecting your ability to work.
Where can you get support for depression?
Alongside a fit note, you do not need to wait for a GP referral to start getting help.
| NHS Talking TherapiesFor depression and anxiety, you can refer yourself directly to NHS Talking Therapies, free of charge and without needing to see a GP first. Self-referral is available online through the NHS website or the NHS App if you are registered with a GP and aged 18 or over (16 or over in some areas). Services offer therapies including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, and guided self-help, and many also provide employment advice to support a return to work.Waiting times vary significantly by area, from a few weeks up to several months in some services, so it is worth referring yourself as early as possible even while you are also seeing your GP about a fit note. |
If you are unsure where to start, your GP remains the most important first point of contact and can advise on what is available in your area, including local counselling services, charities such as Mind, and any workplace support your employer offers.
The bottom line
Yes, you can get a fit note for depression in the UK.
Depression is a recognised health condition that can significantly affect your ability to work, and healthcare professionals can issue fit notes when symptoms make work difficult or unsafe.
Many fit notes for depression are now issued remotely, and employers may also need to consider reasonable adjustments to support your return to work.
If you are struggling with depression, remember that help is available and you do not have to face it alone. Your GP is a good starting point, and you can also refer yourself directly to NHS Talking Therapies without waiting for an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. A healthcare professional will only issue a fit note if they believe your condition is affecting your fitness for work.
Yes. Anxiety and depression are both common reasons for being signed off work.
Yes. A fit note is advice rather than a requirement to remain off work until the end date.
Potentially. Burnout itself is not a medical diagnosis in the UK, but the underlying symptoms, such as stress, anxiety, or depression, may support the need for a fit note.
Yes. In many cases, fit notes for depression can be issued following a telephone or video consultation.
Yes. Depression and anxiety often occur together, and healthcare professionals may issue a fit note if your symptoms are affecting your ability to work.
No. A fit note does not have to specify a diagnosis. It can simply confirm that you are not fit for work, or may be fit for work with adjustments, without disclosing the underlying condition, unless you choose to share this information yourself.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or academic advice.
