This week we observe International Stress Awareness Week. Organised by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA UK), this annual event runs from today until Friday 8th November 2019, worldwide. The theme for this year is Resilience: the power to succeed!
Despite the fact that mental health appears to be slowly moving up the national agenda, the issue of everyday stress, including its prevalence and impact, is still largely being overlooked, particularly in the workplace. ISMA’s research reveals that 94% of people in the UK experience work-related stress, with work-related issues contributing more to people’s stress levels than difficulties regarding relationships, health and finances combined.
ENDING STIGMA
“We created the Week to raise awareness about stress prevention and the importance for individuals and organisations in order to ensure that those who are suffering from stress know where to go to seek advice,” says Carole Spiers, Founder of International Stress Awareness Week and Chair of ISMA UK.
The challenges presented by stress and mental health problems are of considerable importance for organisations, as well as individuals. “Ending the stigma associated with stress and mental health is an organisational imperative and ISMA’s focus is to continue to ensure that these issues remain high on the national agenda with the active promotion of wellbeing in the workplace,” stresses Spiers.
STRESS PREVENTION
This week provides wellbeing champions an opportunity to engage in dialogue with ISMA experts about stress and mental health issues at work. If you are delivering your own workshops or presentations, you can download an International Stress Awareness Week training pack to help reinforce the message of this week from ISMA’s website.
As well as the wellness annual conference taking place in London this week (which has already sold out), ISMA is also hosting a free online summit. For a complete list of ISMA’s events that are taking place this week, click here.
Sign up for our newsletter
