Nearly half of NHS staff say role is affecting their mental health, charity warns

Nearly half of NHS staff (47 per cent) say their job is negatively affecting their mental health, according to a new survey of more than 1,000 NHS employees, carried out by NHS Charities Together. While this is a slight improvement from last year’s figure of 51 per cent, the prevalence of poor mental health among the NHS workforce remains stubbornly high, and highlights the urgent need for continued investment in staff wellbeing.

When asked which factors have negatively impacted their mental health in the workplace in the last 12 months, the most commonly cited causes among NHS staff surveyed included staff shortages (49 per cent), not feeling able to provide the best possible care (35 per cent), rising patient numbers (29 per cent), and exposure to traumatic situations at work (15 per cent). Despite this clear and growing need, just one in four (25 per cent) said they had accessed any form of mental health support in the past year.#

The survey findings also add to the existing evidence that the incidence of mental health problems is higher among NHS workers than it is among the general population. Half (51 per cent) reported experiencing anxiety, and nearly one in four (23 per cent) said they had experienced depression. By comparison, recent national data suggests that around one in six adults (16 per cent) in England met the criteria for a common mental disorder – such as anxiety or depression – within the past week.

Other health challenges experienced by staff in the last 12 months include exhaustion (44 per cent), burnout (35 per cent), and – perhaps most alarmingly – suicidal thoughts, reported by almost one in ten NHS employees (9 per cent).

In response, NHS Charities Together is calling for urgent public support to fund expanded mental health services for staff – services that are already making a difference, but are struggling to meet demand.

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive at NHS Charities Together, said: “NHS staff are facing relentless pressure, working in some of the most challenging conditions the health service has ever seen. Chronic staff shortages, rising demand, and the emotional toll of not being able to deliver the care they want to give are seriously affecting their mental health.

“Given these daily pressures, it’s sadly no surprise that mental health issues among NHS workers are so widespread. If we want the NHS to thrive, we must take better care of the people who keep it running.”

Despite the growing pressure, almost four in five staff (78 per cent) say they’re proud to work for the NHS, underlining the passion and commitment of the workforce even in times of challenge, while 43 per cent would still recommend it as a career.

NHS Charities Together, the national charity caring for the NHS, helps provide vital mental health and wellbeing services to the NHS’s 1.7 million-strong workforce. Thanks to public donations, these services include staff psychologists, peer support programmes, wellbeing hubs, and more.

The charity has also announced a new Workforce Wellbeing Programme, including an initial investment of £6 million, with a further £5 million provided by NHS England. NHS Charities Together intends to raise a further £5 million over the course of the programme to drive much needed action across the UK and create positive, lasting change. Funds will be invested where there is the greatest need, and where charities can make the biggest and most sustainable difference to the workforce.

When asked what support they felt would benefit them most, nearly three in ten NHS staff (29 per cent) said access to psychological support or counselling services. Approximately a quarter (26 per cent) said respite or wellbeing sessions, one in five (22 per cent) said they would value access to a rest space or garden, and about one in eight (13 per cent) identified the need for intensive trauma-informed support.

Sarah*, a nurse who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “It was my ultimate goal to become part of the NHS, it’s an incredible institution and I’m proud to work there. However, nothing could have prepared me for my role. The pressure is unrelenting. Our patients and their loved ones are upset and frustrated because they have been stuck in the waiting room for hours. I wish I could do more, but I have no power to change the situation. We barely get breaks. We’re expected to power through, finish your shift, go home, and ‘pull yourself together’ for the next day. On my days off, I’m too drained to do anything but rest. I don’t want to socialise; I just want to switch off. It becomes a vicious cycle: work, home, and then back to another shift. It’s taking a toll on my relationships too.

“Due to funding cuts, we’ve lost our wellbeing hub – a safe haven for staff to take a moment of respite. Since it closed, I’ve watched many colleagues go on sick leave due to mental health issues. Skilled and experienced staff have left because the pressure has become too much, leaving us severely short-staffed. It’s heartbreaking to see team members becoming patients themselves. We need more support for staff, including training managers in how best to support their teams– things can’t go on as they are.”

Adam Kay, former doctor and bestselling author of This Is Going to Hurt, said: “Perhaps the most miserable part of reading these statistics for me was how unsurprising they are. It has never been tougher to work in the NHS than today, and there is simply not the support for staff. I welcome any efforts to support the mental wellbeing of NHS staff – this is a system in crisis.”

Ellie Orton OBE added: “Thanks to the generosity of the public, we’ve already been able to help over a million NHS staff with access to counselling, wellbeing spaces, and other crucial initiatives. But, despite their impact, these types of initiatives can’t currently be funded indefinitely; and the need is growing. With many staff struggling and unable to access support, we’re urging everyone who can to continue backing our work, so we can keep backing the NHS workforce.”

NHS Charities Together is the national charity caring for the NHS. To find out more or donate, visit nhscharitiestogether.co.uk.