Amidst growing pressures on the NHS as well as government funding cuts, thousands of NHS staff across the country have had to take absences due to mental health problems.
Pressures inside the NHS have become so severe that the equivalent of a week off work was taken by every single one of the health service’s 350k nurses last year due to stress, anxiety and depression, analysis of new NHS England data shows.
Due to ongoing staffing problems, many workers are pushed beyond their mental and physical limits due to long, intensive hours.
To gain a true understanding of the number of NHS staff suffering with mental health problems, Legal Expert set out to investigate.
How Legal Expert Can Help
If you’ve suffered mental health problems while working for the NHS and believe the working practices should have been different or the organisation should have done much to support you, get in touch. Here at Legal Expert, our team can advise you on your legal options and give advice on what you can do, such as making a compensation claim, all free of charge.
How We Conducted Our Research Into Mental Health Issues Among NHS Staff
We sent Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to every NHS Trust in the UK asking how many NHS Staff have taken at least one day off work due to mental health issues in the past three years. (Broken down by years 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24)
We also asked if these figures could be broken down into specific mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and stress during the same three-year period.
Statistics On NHS Staff Mental Health Issues
According to a recent poll conducted by NHS Charities, three out of four NHS staff have experienced poor mental health in the past year, suggesting that issues around pay and workload have resulted in a number of mental challenges.
Legal Expert also obtained the figures on the specific mental health reasons that staff members gave for their absence.
Based on figures gathered from NHS Trusts across the country, the most common mental health issues that NHS staff face are anxiety, depression and stress.
Swindon
NHS mental health absences – Swindon
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 621
2022/23 | 550
2023/24 | 589
Total | 1,760
Mental health absence reasons – Swindon
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 36
Depression | 63
Stress | 150
Hull
NHS mental health absences – Hull
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 786
2022/23 | 730
2023/24 | 713
Total | 2,229
Mental health absences reasons – Hull
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 183
Depression | 33
Stress | 197
Cornwall
NHS mental health absences – Cornwall
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 918
2022/23 | 882
2023/24 | 1032
Total | 2,832
Mental health absence reasons – Cornwall
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 637
Depression | 258
Stress | 1289
Newcastle
NHS mental health absences – Newcastle
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1104
2022/23 | 1192
2023/24 | 1468
Total | 3,764
Mental health absence reasons- Newcastle
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 313
Depression | 105
Stress | 488
Morecambe
NHS mental health absences – Morecambe
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 769
2022/23 | 776
2023/24 | 848
Total | 2,393
Mental health absence reasons – Morecambe
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 392
Depression | 170
Stress | 686
York and Scarborough
NHS mental health absences – York and Scarborough
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1247
2022/23 | 1182
2023/24 | 1207
Total | 3,636
Mental health absence reasons – York and Scarborough
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 92
Depression | 24
Stress | 151
Lancashire
NHS mental health absences – Lancashire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1336
2022/23 | 1255
2023/24 | 1398
Total | 3,989
Mental health absence reasons – Lancashire
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 866
Depression | 220
Stress | 1015
Doncaster
NHS mental health absences – Doncaster
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1791
2022/23 | 1089
2023/24 | 1131
Total | 4,011
North West Anglia
NHS mental health absences – North West Anglia
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 745
2022/23 | 718
2023/24 | 819
Total | 2,282
Northampton
NHS mental health absences – Northampton
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 600
2022/23 | 565
2023/24 | 560
Total | 1,725
Mental health absences reasons – Northampton
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 88
Depression | 34
Stress | 145
Berkshire
NHS mental health absences – Berkshire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 478
2022/23 | 454
2023/24 | 437
Total | 1,369
Somerset
NHS mental health absences – Somerset
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1307
2022/23 | 1249
2023/24 | 1499
Total | 4,055
Salisbury
NHS mental health absences – Salisbury
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 423
2022/23 | 430
2023/24 | 522
Total | 1,375
Barnsley
NHS mental health absences – Barnsley
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 517
2022/23 | 647
2023/24 | 757
Total | 1,921
Herefordshire
NHS mental health absences – Herefordshire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 679
2022/23 | 646
2023/24 | 638
Total | 1,963
Mental health absences reasons – Herefordshire
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 545
Depression | 180
Stress | 493
Shrewsbury and Telford
NHS mental health absences – Shrewsbury and Telford
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 870
2022/23 | 800
2023/24 | 906
Total | 2,576
Hampshire
NHS mental health absences – Hampshire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1743
2022/23 | 1689
2023/24 | 1652
Total | 5,084
Cambridge
NHS mental health absences – Cambridge
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1515
2022/23 | 1457
2023/24 | 1619
Total | 4,591
County Durham and Darlington
NHS mental health absences – County Durham and Darlington
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 960
2022/23 | 1023
2023/24 | 1108
Total | 3,091
Mental health absence reasons – County Durham and Darlington
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 191
Depression | 78
Stress | 256
Cumbria
NHS mental health absences – Cumbria
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 897
2022/23 | 878
2023/24 | 1056
Total | 2,831
Mental health absence reasons – Cumbria
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 288
Depression | 111
Stress | 556
Isle of Wight
NHS mental health absences – Isle of Wight
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 495
2022/23 | 573
2023/24 | 658
Total | 1,726
Liverpool
NHS mental health absences – Liverpool
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1458
2022/23 | 1453
2023/24 | 1807
Total | 4,718
Blackpool
NHS mental health absences – Blackpool
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1287
2022/23 | 1326
2023/24 | 1484
Total | 4,097
Milton Keynes
NHS mental health absences – Milton Keynes
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 572
2022/23 | 543
2023/24 | 611
Total | 1,726
Plymouth
NHS mental health absences – Plymouth
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 2076
2022/23 | 2004
2023/24 | 2148
Total | 6,228
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh
NHS mental health absences – Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 859
2022/23 | 850
2023/24 | 880
Total | 2,589
Devon
NHS mental health absences – Devon
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 864
2022/23 | 1013
2023/24 | 1265
Total | 3,142
North Midlands
NHS mental health absences – North Midlands
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1643
2022/23 | 1505
2023/24 | 1539
Total | 4,687
Bradford
NHS mental health absences – Bradford
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 966
2022/23 | 946
2023/24 | 809
Total | 2,721
Warrington and Halton
NHS mental health absences – Warrington and Halton
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 544
2022/23 | 504
2023/24 | 583
Total | 1,631
Mental health absence reasons – Warrington and Halton
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 176
Depression | 33
Stress | 237
Leeds
NHS mental health absences – Leeds
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 2419
2022/23 | 2459
2023/24 | 2587
Total | 7,465
Hertfordshire
NHS mental health absences – Hertfordshire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1068
2022/23 | 979
2023/24 | 1001
Total | 3,048
North Tees and Hartlepool
NHS mental health absences – North Tees and Hartlepool
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 676
2022/23 | 603
2023/24 | 715
Total | 1,994
Derby and Burton
NHS mental health absences – Derby and Burton
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 2346
2022/23 | 2326
2023/24 | 2617
Total | 7,289
Mental health absence reasons – Derby and Burton
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 1095
Depression | 327
Stress | 1572
South West Yorkshire
NHS mental health absences – South West Yorkshire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 597
2022/23 | 579
2023/24 | 589
Total | 1,765
Mental health absence reasons – South West Yorkshire
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 109
Depression | 35
Stress | 178
Kent
NHS mental health absences – East Kent
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1158
2022/23 | 1116
2023/24 | 1259
Total | 3,533
Birmingham
NHS mental health absences – Birmingham
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 2613
2022/23 | 2618
2023/24 | 2826
Total | 8,057
Bedfordshire
NHS mental health absences – Bedfordshire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1025
2022/23 | 1062
2023/24 | 1173
Total | 3,260
Buckinghamshire
NHS mental health absences – Buckinghamshire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 311
2022/23 | 273
2023/24 | 418
Total | 1,002
Dorset
NHS mental health absences – Dorset
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1138
2022/23 | 1156
2023/24 | 1278
Total | 3,572
Mental health absence reasons – Dorset
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 208
Depression | 97
Stress | 439
Essex
NHS mental health absences – Essex
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 2604
2022/23 | 2366
2023/24 | 2645
Total | 7,615
Sussex
NHS mental health absences – Sussex
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 2634
2022/23 | 2616
2023/24 | 2799
Total | 8,049
Gloucestershire
NHS mental health absences – Gloucestershire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1721
2022/23 | 1578
2023/24 | 1857
Total | 5,156
Mental health absence reasons – Gloucestershire
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 64
Depression | 19
Stress | 80
East Lancashire
NHS mental health absences – East Lancashire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1210
2022/23 | 1257
2023/24 | 1314
Total | 3,781
Worcestershire
NHS mental health absences – Worcestershire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 863
2022/23 | 891
2023/24 | 1006
Total | 2,760
Norfolk and Norwich
NHS mental health absences – Norfolk and Norwich
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1108
2022/23 | 1018
2023/24 | 1014
Total | 3,140
Northern Care Alliance (Greater Manchester)
NHS mental health absences – Northern Care Alliance
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 2659
2022/23 | 2490
2023/24 | 2922
Total | 8,071
Sheffield
NHS mental health absences – Sheffield
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 2232
2022/23 | 2147
2023/24 | 2298
Total | 6,677
Frimley Health
NHS mental health absences – Frimley Health
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 764
2022/23 | 710
2023/24 | 765
Total | 2,239
Cheshire
NHS mental health absences – Cheshire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 678
2022/23 | 472
2023/24 | 438
Total | 1,588
Bath
NHS mental health absences – Bath
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 661
2022/23 | 695
2023/24 | 819
Total | 2,175
Princess Alexandra (West Essex and East Hertfordshire)
NHS mental health absences – Princess Alexandra
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 392
2022/23 | 378
2023/24 | 421
Total | 1,191
Tameside and Glossop
NHS mental health absences – Tameside and Glossop
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 535
2022/23 | 542
2023/24 | 613
Total | 1,690
Mental health absence reasons – Tameside and Glossop
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 151
Depression | 41
Stress | 161
Croydon
NHS mental health absences – Croydon
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 335
2022/23 | 295
2023/24 | 325
Total | 955
Midlands
NHS mental health absences – Midlands
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 5014
2022/23 | 5010
2023/24 | 5525
Total | 15549
Lincolnshire
NHS mental health – Lincolnshire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1121
2022/23 | 1192
2023/24 | 1259
Total | 3572
Hillingdon
NHS mental health absences – Hillingdon
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 221
2022/23 | 209
2023/24 | 211
Total | 641
Middlesex
NHS mental health absences – Middlesex
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 216
2022/23 | 275
2023/24 | 324
Total | 815
Barking, Havering and Redbridge
NHS mental health absences – Barking, Havering and Redbridge
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 488
2022/23 | 504
2023/24 | 551
Total | 1,543
George Eliot Hospital (Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Coventry)
NHS mental health absences – George Eliot Hospital
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 497
2022/23 | 440
2023/24 | 541
Total | 1,478
Mental health absence reasons – George Eliot Hospital
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 147
Depression | 62
Stress | 197
Lewisham and Greenwich
NHS mental health absences – Lewisham and Greenwich
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 497
2022/23 | 440
2023/24 | 541
Total | 1,478
Mental health absence reasons – Lewisham and Greenwich
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 90
Depression | 48
Stress | 182
Lancashire and South Cumbria
NHS mental health absences – Lancashire and South Cumbria
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1320
2022/23 | 1339
2023/24 | 1459
Total | 4118
Mental health absence reasons – Lancashire and South Cumbria
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 138
Depression | 49
Stress | 272
James Paget (Norfolk)
NHS mental health absences – James Paget
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 312
2022/23 | 361
2023/24 | 519
Total | 1,192
Mental health absence reasons – James Paget
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 189
Depression | 36
Stress | 221
Airedale
NHS mental health absences – Airedale
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 470
2022/23 | 403
2023/24 | 461
Total | 1,334
Gateshead
NHS mental health absences – Gateshead
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 768
2022/23 | 753
2023/24 | 859
Total | 2,380
Mental health absence reasons – Gateshead
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 133
Depression | 52
Stress | 189
Lincolnshire and Goole
NHS mental health absences – Lincolnshire and Goole
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1049
2022/23 | 998
2023/24 | 1090
Total | 3,137
Mental health absence reasons – Lincolnshire and Goole
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 191
Depression | 77
Stress | 274
Sherwood Forest Hospitals
NHS mental health absences – Sherwood Forest Hospitals
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 602
2022/23 | 621
2023/24 | 710
Total | 1,933
Mental health absence reasons – Sherwood Forest Hospitals
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 178
Depression | 54
Stress | 185
Chesterfield
NHS mental health absences – Chesterfield
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 557
2022/23 | 583
2023/24 | 671
Total | 1,811
Medway
NHS mental health absences – Medway
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1076
2022/23 | 977
2023/24 | 1107
Total | 3,160
South Warwickshire
NHS mental health absences – South Warwickshire
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 809
2022/23 | 734
2023/24 | 939
Total | 2,482
Torbay and South Devon
NHS mental health absences – Torbay and South Devon
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 1310
2022/23 | 1248
2023/24 | 1281
Total | 3,839
Mental health absences reasons – Torbay and South Devon
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 254
Depression | 93
Stress | 340
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
NHS mental health absences – Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 269
2022/23 | 287
2023/24 | 344
Total | 900
Mental health absence reasons – Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 202
Depression | 44
Stress | 251
Kettering
NHS mental health absences – Kettering
No. of staff absent due to mental health reasons
2021/22 | 879
2022/23 | 803
2023/24 | 760
Total | 2442
Mental health absence reasons – Kettering
No. of absences due to anxiety, depression or stress (2021-2024)
Anxiety | 65
Depression | 23
Stress | 137
