Every year the International Stress Management Association (ISMAUK) runs a campaign ‘to raise awareness of stress around the world and improve the ways in which stress is managed in the workplace and in our personal lives’.

This year the theme is ‘Campaigning to Reduce Stress and Improve Wellbeing’, which is something we wholeheartedly agree with, campaign for, and provide resources, training and blogs to support. These materials can be used during International Stress Awareness Week (Monday 4 to Friday 8 November), National Stress Awareness Day (Wednesday 6 November 2024) and throughout the year.

During this important awareness campaign, we are encouraging our Supporters, partners and visitors to normalise talking about stress and mental health, and to take time to identify the root cause(s) and address them not only within their own organisation, but also across their supply chains. This will help to address the stigma and therefore give people the confidence and reassurance that it is okay to start a conversation about it.

Why are Stress Awareness Day / Week important?

We know that stress at work can have a devastating impact on someone and that it can have life changing repercussions for them as well as their family, friends and colleagues.

Trigger warning: please be aware that the film below mentions suicide:

We also know that in 2022/23 [1]:

• There were 875,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety.
• Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 49% of all work-related ill-health cases and 54% of all working days lost due to work-related ill-health.
• The main work factors cited as causing work-related stress, depression or anxiety include the demands of the job, lack of control, lack of information and support, work relationships, and roles and responsibilities.

Employers have a legal duty of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees, including mental health/stress. Mental wellbeing also benefits the business, for example, increased productivity, a reduction in sickness and staff turnover, and it demonstrates that the organisation is a good, safe, and supportive place to work. Research has found that, on average, businesses achieve a £5 return for every £1 spent on wellbeing support [2].

Mental wellbeing in the workplace is also good for the employee, for example, improving confidence, purpose, achievement, positive relationships, and inclusion.

And finally, we know that through working collaboratively, we can be the change that is needed to improve mental wellbeing in the workplace. Ensuring all teams are supported through a proactive prevention strategy which raises awareness, improves understanding and the confidence to address the stigma of mental ill-health, and creates supportive workplaces.

Resources

We also know that in 2022/23 [1]:

• There were 875,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety.
• Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 49% of all work-related ill-health cases and 54% of all working days lost due to work-related ill-health.
• The main work factors cited as causing work-related stress, depression or anxiety include the demands of the job, lack of control, lack of information and support, work relationships, and roles and responsibilities.

Employers have a legal duty of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees, including mental health/stress. Mental wellbeing also benefits the business, for example, increased productivity, a reduction in sickness and staff turnover, and it demonstrates that the organisation is a good, safe, and supportive place to work. Research has found that, on average, businesses achieve a £5 return for every £1 spent on wellbeing support [2].

Mental wellbeing in the workplace is also good for the employee, for example, improving confidence, purpose, achievement, positive relationships, and inclusion.

And finally, we know that through working collaboratively, we can be the change that is needed to improve mental wellbeing in the workplace. Ensuring all teams are supported through a proactive prevention strategy which raises awareness, improves understanding and the confidence to address the stigma of mental ill-health, and creates supportive workplaces.

Resources

At Mates in Mind, we work with organisations to improve the mental health of their workforce by providing the skills, clarity, and confidence to employers on how to raise awareness, improve understanding and address the stigma that surrounds mental health.

This is why we have created a suite of resources to support organisations not only during Stress Awareness Day / Week, but also to create comprehensive and ongoing programme of support.

Please click on the link below to download a free poster. You can personalise it by adding the relevant details of your Mental Health First Aiders, HR team, Employee Assistance Programme and so on, in the white box. Please then share it across your organisation.

Please also visit our Resources page where you can download additional free resources including a Spotting the Signs Infographic and a Stress Awareness Factsheet. 

Visit our Resources

Please sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page to be informed when we publish new blogs in our ‘How to optimise your mental wellbeing’ series. The first blog can be found:

Read our 'How to optimise your mental wellbeing' blogs

If the information on this page has resonated with you, and if you or someone you know needs help or support, you can speak to one of the many free, confidential support services below: 

Support Services

Mates in Mind Supporters 

We have additional materials exclusively available for our Supporters.

To download these materials please log in to the Supporter portal, and access your resources:

Log in

If you are not a Supporter but would like to find out more about our Programme, please read on.

How we can support you

Mates in Mind can support your organisation to build a mental health plan and to create a culture of prevention.

Our dedicated team of Support Managers work with organisations of any size to develop a tailored action plan, evaluating your organisation's priorities and gaps, and providing the tools and support you need.

This plan includes ongoing support with communication and delivery of your plan, as well as training opportunities, promotional materials, and a suite of tools (including awareness date resources) to enable you to drive long-lasting and meaningful change.

Find out more about how we can help your organisation build a culture of prevention when you become a Supporter by:

• Visiting our Become a Supporter page
• Calling: 020 3510 5018
• Emailing: [email protected]
• Using this contact form

If you would like to know when we publish new resources, please complete the newsletter sign up at the bottom of this page.

References:

[1] Statistics - About HSE statistics published November 2023

[2] Mental health and employers: the case for investment - pandemic and beyond | Deloitte UK