![A female nurse wearing a face mask looks concerned](https://www.rcn.org.uk/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/News-800x400/2021/COVID-19-mental-health-support-for-NHS-staff-800x400.jpg?h=400&w=800&la=en&hash=4465F1181021921454FFC6D14CBEC968)
NHS Digital data released today (30 June) shows that compared to February 2020, the number of sickness absence days for mental health reasons has increased by 20% for nursing staff in England.
A total of 128,161 full-time equivalent working days were lost in February 2022 due to nursing staff absence for anxiety, stress, depression and other psychiatric illnesses.
The RCN has also recently seen a spike in the number of calls to our advice line from members seeking support with work-related mental health issues.
RCN Director for England Patricia Marquis said: “The pressure on nursing shows no sign of abating. Not only has COVID-19 taken its toll, but the workforce crisis is putting huge strain on nursing as it struggles to provide safe and effective care for ever-rising numbers of patients.
"Ministers must urgently invest in nursing, starting with a pay rise which significantly exceeds the cost of living, and address the unrelenting pressures which are having a devastating impact on staff wellbeing."
We’ve been campaigning for an NHS pay rise of 5% above inflation, to help address the cost-of-living crisis and encourage people to join and stay in the nursing profession to alleviate staffing pressures.
The RCN offers a range of online resources to support members’ mental wellbeing as well as a free counselling service for members facing challenging emotional issues.