We should all shine a light on ‘mental health as a universal human right’

World Mental Health has been celebrated every year on 10 October. The theme for 2023, set by the World Foundation of Mental Health, is ‘Mental health is a universal human right.’ However, is the mental health of those that work in the mental health services itself not worthy of mention and deep concern? Today we shine a light on the mental health of healthcare staff because the mental health charity called Laura Hyde Foundation (LHF) reports an increase in the use of its services, from 366 nurses between January and December last year, to a significant increase, of 319 nurses in 2021, who had attempted suicide. The attempts may be the consequence of high-pressure loads, intimidation and inadequate support arrangements; medical staff are at least twice as likely to die by suicide than the general population.