Absence due to Anxiety, Stress, Depression or other Mental Illness (ASDOM – NHS Scotland defined list - FOI Response Register

1. How many NHS staff members have been absent (headcount) with anxiety, stress, depression or other mental illness (ASDOM – NHS Scotland defined list), recorded as sickness absence’ in each year since 2020-21, including the current year to date? This would be any breaks from service not included in annual leave, due to high levels of stress.

2020/21 – 74; 2021/22 – 81; 2022/23 – 84; 2023/24 – 90; 2024/25 – 113; 2025/26 to 30 June – 50

Please note that Data provided above relates to sickness absence

Where a staff member has more than one episode of absence in the same financial year they are counted as one in the above figures

Where a staff member holds more than one post and is absent for same period of time in both posts they are counted as one in above figures.

Where a staff member has an episode of absence that straddles the financial year they are counted as one in each financial year.

2. What was the combined number of working days lost due to ASDOM in each year since 2020-21, including the current year to date

2020/21 – 11,396.05; 2021/22 – 19,458.39; 2022/23 – 14,099.51; 2023/24 – 14,515.47; 2024/25 – 18,695.07; 2025/26 to 30 June – 6,929.12

Please note that NHS Scotland workforce systems calculates and reports absence as working hours rather than working days.