FIRE and rescue is facing a mental health crisis and the government must invest to fix it, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) warned today.

New research found that 458 staff in the Greater Manchester Fire Service have taken at least one day off due to mental health over the last three years.

Work-related stress, depression, anxiety and PTSD were the most common conditions cited for the absences, according to data obtained by Accident Claims Advice (ACA).

Of those who took time off due to mental ill health in 2021-22, 10 per cent left the service, soaring to 22 per cent the following year.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack told ACA the service is “facing a mental health crisis.

“Despite the evidence that firefighters are struggling, fire service mental health provision is patchy.

“After a decade of cuts to the fire and rescue service, firefighters are being pushed beyond limits to keep the public safe. 

“Responding to life-or-death situations without adequate resources is intensely stressful. 

“To address this mental health crisis, we need central government to provide the investment needed to rebuild the service.”