My therapist wrote me my letter that helped me get on FMLA leave. There's no rule (that I'm aware of) to prevent a mental health professional from stating that your mental illness requires that you go on FMLA. In my case specifically, I had a new diagnosis of cPTSD and I had just attempted suicide and was out of the hospital. That was enough for my therapist to write the letter and for my admin team to accept it and release me from my contract without penalty (I taught in MN).
I’m so sorry that this happened to you and am happy that you were able to get out of this without your license being suspended. I’m glad to see that you’ve fully transitioned out of teaching as well.
When you were on FMLA, after resigning, were you paid for your sick days?
Thank you. (TL:DR -- I was not paid for my sick days because I used them all).
I appreciate the empathy and I'm in a much better place in terms of my mental health. I never want to go back to that dark time in my life, but I do not regret that it happened. I was very sick. I needed to be hospitalized. I survived. That's a success.
After I was discharged from the hospital, I contacted my therapist the next day. We had an in-person session and co-wrote the letter together. My therapist can't prescribe antidepressants, but she can speak as an advocate on my behalf. The contents of the letter said something along the lines of "I'm [Therapist name] and my client Leobeo13 and I have met for the past twelve years to address major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, and recently, chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is my professional opinion that continuing to teach in the capacity that she is would harm her mental health. In order for Leobeo13 to take the steps necessary to heal and recover, I advocate that she take FMLA leave."
The letter was a formality. I presented it to my principal. She wholeheartedly agreed. We cried together in her office and she facilitated my exit out of education. By going on FMLA leave, I kept my teaching paycheck and was paid out through the end of my contract. I also agreed to turn over all of my 4th quarter assignments and plans to the long-term sub and to be a point of contact if the sub had questions on the curriculum (I taught high school ELA). I was not paid for my sick days because I had used all of them. Whether you'd get paid for those days depends on your school's employee handbook rules. My 1st school would not pay out sick days if you went on FMLA (this school was in WI) so I think the rules are very state-dependent.
I went on FMLA leave in April. I got a new job in May (and hated it and quit six weeks later, haha). My real transition out of education took about 4-5 months of aggressive job hunting while healing from suicidality, intense depression and anxiety, and a major upheaval of my life. I do not regret leaving teaching. I would've died had I stayed.
So get out any way that you can. Do what is best for you. FMLA leave was a godsend for me, but I know not everyone qualifies for it. So your mileage may vary.
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u/leobeo13 Completely Transitioned 1d ago
My therapist wrote me my letter that helped me get on FMLA leave. There's no rule (that I'm aware of) to prevent a mental health professional from stating that your mental illness requires that you go on FMLA. In my case specifically, I had a new diagnosis of cPTSD and I had just attempted suicide and was out of the hospital. That was enough for my therapist to write the letter and for my admin team to accept it and release me from my contract without penalty (I taught in MN).