Nurses on the frontline who dealt with Covid patients during the first wave suffered anxiety and depression.
A Glasgow Caledonian University study found that some also struggled to support their families both emotionally and financially.
The research, carried out in partnership with Southampton and Edge Hill universities, predicts mental health issues may increase over winter as staff deal with rising numbers of Covid cases and the seasonal high volume of admissions.
Results of the study, led by GCU’s Dr Nicola Roberts, showed just over a fifth of 255 staff polled experienced moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and about 17 per cent had similar levels for depression.
It also found that younger nurses with less experience had higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower resilience levels.
Many nurses said they felt “overwhelmed” and “exhausted” juggling work and family life. One said her “tank feels empty” and another described her workload as “relentless”.
The survey was carried out in May, during the first wave of the pandemic, and researchers concluded: “While the NHS has provided psychological support, these programmes need to be reinforced so that staff are able to cope emotionally and work effectively”.
Dr Roberts said: “This is an important study. Nurses are the largest workforce and a crucial component of how we can deliver healthcare well during the pandemic.
“There is a significant level of anxiety and depression in the nursing workforce.
"This warrants long-term nursing workforce adaptations or interventions to support the mental health and wellbeing of NHS workers during the pandemic.
“As the pandemic continues, it is vital that we support NHS staff to be able to cope and increase resilience.
"We are looking in more detail at the concerns raised, how nurses coped at home and examples of mental health support that was implemented in the workplace.”
