Mental Health Discrimination Grievance Letter: Free Template and What to Include

If you need to formal grievance about disability discrimination related to a mental health condition, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong mental health discrimination grievance should include.

What this letter needs to cover

• State it is a formal grievance under the Equality Act 2010
• Describe the discriminatory treatment with dates
• Confirm the mental health condition amounts to a disability under the Act
• Set out how the treatment constitutes discrimination
• Request a formal grievance meeting and confirmation of right to be accompanied

When mental health treatment crosses into discrimination

If you're treated unfavourably because of a mental health condition that meets the legal definition of disability, this is disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 — this includes being overlooked for opportunities, subjected to unfair capability processes without proper adjustment, or facing negative comments connected to your condition.

What to include before you send it

• Confirmation of your condition and why it meets the definition of disability
• A clear, factual account of the treatment you've experienced
• Why you believe this treatment is connected to your condition
• What outcome you're seeking

Discrimination arising from disability — a specific, relevant concept here

Beyond direct discrimination, there's also "discrimination arising from disability" — unfavourable treatment because of something connected to your disability (like absence caused by your condition), rather than the disability itself. This is often particularly relevant to mental health situations, where absence or reduced performance may stem directly from the condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my employer says they didn't know my condition counted as a disability?
If they were aware of your condition and its effects, or could reasonably have been expected to know, this doesn't necessarily excuse a failure to make adjustments or avoid discriminatory treatment.

Can absence related to my mental health be used against me in a formal process?
Using disability-related absence in the same way as ordinary absence, without proper adjustment, can itself amount to discrimination arising from disability.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Postcode]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Name of Recipient, e.g. Your Line Manager or HR Manager]
[Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[Company Postcode]
[Date]

Dear [Name of Recipient],

Subject: Formal grievance – disability discrimination (mental health)

I am writing to raise a formal grievance under the [Equality Act 2010 / in Northern Ireland: Disability Discrimination Act 1995] about unfair treatment I have experienced at work because of my mental health condition.

I have [Name of condition, e.g. depression / generalised anxiety disorder]. It has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on my ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, so I believe it meets the legal definition of a disability.

The treatment I am complaining about is:
• On [Date], [Name] [what happened, e.g. made offensive comments about my health / passed me over for promotion].
• [Other incidents, with dates and any witnesses.]

I believe this is discrimination because [e.g. I was treated less favourably than colleagues because of my condition / I was treated unfavourably because of my sickness absence linked to my condition].

This has caused me significant distress. Please arrange a formal grievance meeting. I would like to be accompanied by [a work colleague / a trade union representative], [name, if known].

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]