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All health and social care employers have a duty to prevent workplace pressures contributing to suicidal thoughts among nursing staff, says our latest report.

New figures from our advice service show a 76% rise in staff seeking support for suicidal ideation in the first half of 2024, compared with the same period in 2023.

Our new UK-wide report found that more than two-thirds of nursing staff who had contacted RCN advice between February 2022 and February 2024, said workplace issues were a key factor in why they were seeking help.

Our report describes how nursing staff have been put under extreme pressure at work, with workload, bullying and harassment, and a lack of work-life balance cited as the key factors contributing towards suicidal thoughts. We’ve also identified distress faced by staff going through formal proceedings.

To coincide with the publication of this report, we’re launching a groundbreaking pilot scheme between the RCN and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. Together we will review staff experiences and explore how changes to workplace culture can improve staff wellbeing, including mental health. The pilot will be used to develop a UK-wide framework that can be used by every employer across the health and care system.

In the report, we also make recommendations to reduce instances of suicidal ideation, which has become increasingly common among nursing staff.

We believe that all health and care employers must implement preventative measures to reduce the work-related pressures that may trigger a mental health crisis and suicidal ideation, the report says.

Within every organisation, there must be designated staff to support individuals at risk, and all HR staff, personal tutors, and occupational health clinicians should undergo training in suicide awareness and prevention.

Employers should also report to the Health and Safety Executive in cases where work is a contributing factor to suicide, the authors of the report argue.

We say every workplace needs to create a compassionate culture that puts the wellbeing of nursing staff first, and allows staff to raise concerns and talk about mental health issues free from stigma, so they can receive the support they need. Governments must commit to fully funded mental health support for all nursing staff, provided by every employer.

RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, said: “It’s becoming increasingly clear that workplace pressures are contributing to a rise in suicidal thoughts among nursing staff. This is a very serious issue that requires the full attention of ministers and employers.

“Nursing is a brilliant and rewarding career, but it can also be physically and emotionally draining. Whilst suicide is a complex issue, employers have an important duty of care towards their staff, to provide a healthy working environment, ensuring pressures at work do not become too great and push people into a mental health crisis.

“The RCN is pleased to be launching a pilot scheme with Oxleas NHS Trust. The scheme will help pave the way for UK-wide standards in health and care.

“Happy and healthy workplaces are the bedrock of quality care, and we desperately need a national set of standards across all health and care settings in the UK. These must be built around compassion and prevention and encourage staff to seek support, ensuring mental health interventions are effective and timely.” 

Rachel Evans, Chief People and Strategy Officer, at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Compassion and kindness are at the heart of the great care we are determined to deliver in Oxleas. This is one of the three big priorities in our new strategy. 

“We know that we will only deliver great care if we take the very best care of our brilliant nursing staff and all our people. We have made good progress on making Oxleas a place where people want to work, where they feel valued, cared for and included, but there is so much more that we want to do. We have big plans for the future and are delighted to be part of the RCN Compassion in Practice pilot."

• If you're experiencing thoughts of suicide, it's important you tell someone. Call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit . Please try to stay safe until you can speak to someone about how you feel. If you’re at immediate risk of harm, call 999.
• You can also contact the RCN for advice here.