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NHS Mental Health Crisis: 8 Million Days Lost
7 Apr
Summary
- NHS staff lost a record 8 million days to mental health issues last year.
- Staff sickness days due to mental health issues rose 42% since 2020.
- Over 7.25 million routine treatments were pending at the end of January.
Last year, NHS staff in England recorded an unprecedented eight million days off due to mental health issues such as anxiety and stress. This represents a significant increase, with mental health-related sick days climbing by 42% since 2020.
The total number of days lost to sickness within NHS England reached 28 million in 2025, a substantial rise from 21 million in 2020 and the highest figure on record. More than a quarter of these absences were attributed to psychiatric illnesses.
These mounting absences are contributing to lengthy patient waiting lists, with over 7.25 million routine treatments pending at the end of January. The National Health Service has also lost 262,592 days to industrial action by resident doctors in the past year.
Concerns are being raised about the management of staff well-being amidst challenging circumstances, including the lingering effects of the pandemic and economic uncertainties. A forthcoming 10-year workforce plan is anticipated to address these critical issues.
