THE number of Renfrewshire Council staff who have been absent from work due to mental health issues has rocketed by almost a third in the past four years, The Gazette can reveal.

Shocking statistics have shown in 2013/14, there were 663 council staff off work due to psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and bereavement, while in 2017/18, there were 854.

And up to the end of September in 2018/19, there have been 464 staff off work, more than half the amount in 2017/18 as a whole.

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The Gazette was also able to find out for the past two years, 2016/17 and 2017/18, some staff have been off work due to psychological issues for the whole year. The longest absence for this reason so far this financial year has been 183 days.

The alarming data, which The Gazette gained via a Freedom of Information request, was of concern to Stephen McLellan, chief executive of Recovery Across Mental Health.

The Paisley-based service promotes recovery from mental ill health by providing immediate support to those in crisis situations.

Mr McLellan said the figures did not come as a shock.

He said: “This is the kind of pattern we’re seeing across the public sector, which has taken a huge hit in terms of austerity and cuts.

“And while you’ve got less people working than there would’ve been a few years ago, the expectations have increased. 

The Gazette:

Stephen McLellan said a rising number of absences is ‘unsurprising’ 

“A lot is being demanded from people working in education, health, social work and roads departments, because there’s less of them, but social issues have not diminished.

“The lack of investment and the lack of resources are causing staff to become stressed.”

Mr McLellan said he thought the rise in absences was partly down to people opening up about their problems, but it was also due to the severe pressure staff were coming under.    

“Perhaps people are more open to talking about it now,” added Mr McLellan. 

“But, at the same time, I have watched demand for our service increase by 40 per cent since we started, and I think that must say something about how much pressure people are under.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “The majority of these absences are non-work related.

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“We work hard to provide a healthy working environment and encourage staff to talk to us about any pressures they may face , with a range of support services in place.

“Regular meetings between employees and managers together with our occupational health team support staff to return to the workplace.”