Ex mental health nurse: 'I couldn't get back up again'
Aimee Leigh Smith worked as a mental health nurse for 17 years. Earlier this year she left her job. She told Â鶹Éç 5 live that the "stress and burnout" was taking its toll on her family life and her mental health.
"I came home and sat on my couch, I fell to the side and I felt like I couldn't get back up again" she said.
Â鶹Éç 5 live have found that NHS mental health staff taking long term sick leave because of their own mental health issues has risen by 24% in the past five years.
Aimee Leigh says "The managers are burnt out, the staff are burnt out. Mental health workers are absolutely taking on what their patients are experiencing, and starting to exhibit the same kinds of behaviours. Things like low mood, depression, eating disorders, shouting at each other."
This clip is originally from Stephen Nolan on Friday 22 September 2017.
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State of Mind—5 Live In Short
5 live's year-long season takes an in-depth look at our mental health.
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