STANFORD, Calif. (KRON) Its a problem facing health care workers across the country, including here in the Bay Area.

Friends of a Stanford nurse who committed suicide last week say his death is bringing attention the to importance of mental health for healthcare workers.

A recent study says that over the past two years of caring for COVID patients, nurses and other first responders reported high levels of stress, depression, and fatigue.

Friends and co-workers of 27-year-old Michael Odell are heartbroken.

The travel ICU nurse from Oklahoma had been working at Stanford Hospital before committing suicide last week.

Josh Paredes was best friends with Odell. As a fellow nurse, he says the stresses of the job have become overwhelming for so many in the health care field.

Paredes believes its important for people to hear Odells story.

A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine included a survey of more than 500 doctors, nurses, and other health care workers who have been treating COVID patients.

Within it, they found 74% saying they were depressed, 37% reported they were experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and 15% said they have had thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

Stanford nurse Gabby Ladue helped in the frantic two-day search for Odell who abruptly left work and went missing last Tuesday.

The search ended tragically on Thursday when Odells body was found at the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge.

Ladue says right now frontline workers across the country need more support.

Odells colleagues are hoping employers will step up in their efforts to address the well-being of their workers.

For Paredes, Odells death is pointing out the need for these conversations.

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Death of Stanford nurse brings attention to healthcare workers mental health - KRON4