NHS staff took 6.5 million days off as Covid-19 took a toll on their mental health.
Sick days clocked up due to anxiety, depression, burnout and PTSD have cost taxpayers £591million.
British Medical Association data shows almost half of staff had problems.
BMA psychiatrist Andrew Molodynski said: “This is the biggest NHS mental health challenge by miles. Working lives have become more stressful. Morale is low.”
NHS Digital figures recorded 6,564,199 days off for mental health since March 2020 – compared with 3,765,796 caused by Covid itself.
The suicides of more than 100 health and social care workers were registered in 2020.
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And the Laura Hyde Foundation support charity said over 300 staff contacted them to say they’d attempted suicide.
Foundation chairman Liam Barnes said: “We must do more to protect those who dedicate their lives to protecting us.”
Labour MP Rosena Allin-Khan, an A&E doctor, said: “Along with experts, we warned of the toll on mental health, but the Government didn’t step up to the plate.”
