Mental health help

NEWS last week of a GP ending her life after what her husband described as “unbearable (work) pressure” shows how mental health issues could affect anyone and everyone.

Former NHS doctor turned author Adam Kay’s book, This is Going to Hurt, which was turned into a BBC drama, also highlighted the pressures on medical professionals – and this was pre-pandemic.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show the number of suicides among healthcare professionals in England and Wales was 103 in 2018, the latest year that data is available for. This was up from 73 in 2017 and 95 in 2016. Figures are high for deaths by suicide among care workers and home carers too – 112 in 2018 and 124 in 2016.

Two years of lockdown, battling Covid and the subsequent return to “normal” have taken some toll on everyone, but few think to ask those in healthcare how they are doing.

A stigma in relation to mental health remains – seeking help is hard for those not in the medical profession, so it is more difficult for a doctor or nurse to admit they are suffering.

As we navigate our way out of the pandemic, health bosses should work with ministers to offer help to healthcare staff and others in the industry, without fear of being judged or cast aside. We owe it to those who have gone above and beyond and cared for us at the worst of times.