‘40pc of GPS’ have suffered from mental health issues

♦ Two in five GPS have had mental health problems, a survey has found.

Around 40 per cent of almost 1,000 doctors polled said they had dealt with issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar or posttraumatic stress disorder.

Vicki Nash, of Mind, Mind, the mental health charity that carried out the research, said: “These figures are really concerning. We knew from talking to primary care staff that many of them were experiencing poor mental health but hadn’t realised just how prevalent mental health problems were among GPS.”

The survey found 48 per cent per cent of GPS would turn to colleagues for support if they experienced a mental health problem in the future. Almost nine out of 10 said they would get support from families and friends, while 79 per cent would go to their personal doctor. Mind called on the Government and NHS England to do more to help those affected.