Occupational Health: April is Stress Awareness Month

April marks the start of Stress Awareness Month. Stress is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, and is a significant factor in mental health problems including anxiety and depression. It can also impact negatively on one’s physical health and contribute to health conditions such as, heart disease, lowered immunity, insomnia and digestive problems. Individually we need to understand what is causing us personal stress and learn what steps we can take to reduce it for ourselves and those around us.

Here are some tips from the Stress Management Society on what you can do for Stress Awareness Month:

• Talk about stress and its effects – let's work together to reduce the stigma that is associated with stress by talking about the topic openly and freely with friends, family and colleagues.
• Share your coping mechanisms – if something has worked for you why not share it. It might benefit someone you care about and in the meantime it might help you take your focus off your own challenges.
• Be nice to those who are stressed and anxious – we are all undoubtedly going to experience stress and anxiety in our lifetime so treat others going through it with compassion and empathy.
• Look after yourself – we all need to think more about self –care. Take time out of your day to relax or do something that you enjoy. Don’t forget to exercise and eat well, even when you feel too stressed.

For University staff:

• • Employees can also access SilverCloud, which offers secure, immediate access to online CBT programmes for Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Body Image. 
• • We have Staff Learning Lunches coming up on ‘How to practice meditation’ (15 May) and ‘Reduce Stress and Health Issues’ (10 June).
• We have a dedicated network of skilled Mental Health First Aiders who can be called on in an emergency for staff or students. Find out who the Mental Health First Aiders in your building are here.
• You can develop a Wellness Action Plan in conjunction with your line manager to actively support your own mental health by reflecting on the causes of stress and poor mental health. This will also help you to formulate plans to ensure you can be supported appropriately in the workplace.
• The Education Support Partnership provides mental health and wellbeing support services to all education staff and organisations. They can provide telephone support and counselling.
• We have a Stress Risk Assessment form with guidance notes that can be completed with your manager to provide practical solutions when you feel under pressure. For more information on this and other stress resources, visit Occupational Health Department resources, including the University Stress Policy.