Emergency workers in grip of growing mental health crisis - 'pushed to breaking point'

NHS and emergency workers face a mental health "crisis" as workload soars and they face cost of living pressures, a charity has warned. They contacted the Laura Hyde Foundation, a healthcare mental health charity, 11,654 times last year - an average of more than once an hour.

More than half (6,199) of people seeking help reported experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours. The charity warns that NHS staff, medical students, police officers, firefighters and other frontline responders are "being pushed to breaking point".

The number getting in touch about financial stress has more than doubled to 1,667 workers. Workload pressures were the top reason for suicidal ideation. Excessive demands at work were cited by 2,111 people.

Of those making contact, 3,833 were nurses; 2,004 were medical students and 1,818 were midwives. More than half were aged between 18 and 37.

• Workload: 2,111 (2003: 849)

• Cost of Living/Financial Worries: 1,667 (2003: 661)

• Patient Care/Grief: 1,423 (2003: 886)

• Workplace Bullying: 917 (2003: 443)

• Did Not Want to Disclose: 1,836 (2003: 316)

Liam Barnes, who chairs the foundation, said: "These figures reveal a mental health crisis within our emergency services. We are seeing alarming increases in suicidal ideation driven by financial pressure, long working hours, workplace bullying, and burnout.

"This raises a serious question: what is the government doing to protect the people who protect us? Our NHS and emergency workers are the backbone of the country-and they're being pushed beyond their limits.

"We must care for our carers before the system collapses under the weight of its own neglect."

The number making contact with the charity because of workplace bulling has more than doubled from 443 in 2003 to 917 last year.

There has also been a huge increase in people seeking support because of issues about patient care and grief, up from 886 to 1,423.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "These statistics are shocking. Our staff are the backbone of our NHS, and it is vital that they are provided with the help and support they need to carry out their role in delivering for patients up and down the country.

"We have already taken key action, including above inflation pay rises for NHS staff for two years in a row, recognising the hard work and dedication of our 1.5 million strong workforce.

"Through our recently published 10-year health plan, we will roll out staff treatment hubs, providing rapid access to mental health support for all NHS employees. And through vital reform and a clear plan, we are remodelling our health service to take unnecessary pressures off staff."

- The Samaritans offer a 24 hour confidential, listening service for anyone in crisis which can be reached on 116 123.