Ryan FowlerMore than three in ten NHS employees have been forced to take time off work due to mental health issues in the past year, a UNISON survey reveals. This finding comes from a study of over 12,000 health workers across the UK, pointing to severe burnout and indicating a potential exodus from the profession.
The survey respondents reported a range of physical symptoms linked to stress, including panic attacks, high blood pressure, chest pains, and headaches, alongside mental health struggles such as depression, low mood, sleepless nights, and flashbacks. UNISON has raised concerns about the impact of workforce pressures on staff well-being as they confront a backlog of waiting lists.
One of the more alarming revelations is the stigma still associated with mental health in the NHS workplace. Of the staff who took leave for mental health reasons, 20% did not disclose the true reason to their employer. The predominant reason, cited by 45%, was a belief that their manager or employer would not be supportive. Additionally, 22% preferred to keep their mental health issues hidden from colleagues.
Despite the challenges, only 24% of respondents had sought help from their employer for mental health issues in the last 18 months. However, nearly half (48%) of those who did reach out felt unsupported in their struggles.
UNISON underscores the critical need for better support, with the vast majority of survey participants stating that improved pay and recognition (89%), safer staffing levels (82%), and measures to combat bullying and harassment (68%) would make a significant difference to their well-being.
Helga Pile, UNISON’s head of health, commented on the findings, saying, “Many NHS staff are clearly at their limit. Burnout is a reality in every part of the health service, from hospital wards to ambulance stations. As more staff quit, the pressures increase for those still working in the NHS, and many are struggling to cope.”
She highlighted the necessity for employers to acknowledge the immense pressures NHS staff face, ensuring safe staffing levels and regular breaks. Pile added, “The range of support available to workers experiencing mental health issues needs to be reviewed too. Managers must also ensure staffing levels are safe and that employees have regular breaks.”
