April is Stress Awareness Month in the UK, a time of the year when individuals and businesses work together to raise awareness of the causes and cures of one of the biggest public health challenges of our time – poor mental health.

Despite what the Stress Management Society calls our “modern-day stress epidemic”, few employers take the impact of mental health problems seriously enough.

“We continue to separate mental health from physical health and vice
versa. The reality is they cannot be separate – they are two sides of the
same coin. There is no health without mental health and stress can
lead to numerous health problems. From physical problems, like heart
disease, insomnia, digestive issues, immune system challenges, etc to
more serious mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.”
The Stress Management Society (emphasis added)

April is the time when we have an opportunity for an open conversation on the impact of stress in the workplace.  We can help to remove the guilt, shame, and stigma around mental health by creating opportunities to talk about stress, and its effects, and to open up about our mental and emotional state.

#ChooseHope

This year’s theme for Stress Awareness Month is #choosehope. Having hope is imperative to find a way beyond the challenges of mental health, and to take action to improve our lives.

This year we are encouraged to go beyond talking, and start taking action and personal responsibility for creating a positive change.

How Leaders can get involved

1 – Encourage your team to take the 30 Day Challenge

Stress Management Society has created a 30 Day Challenge for April where everyone is encouraged to choose one action each day to support their Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing.

2 – Create space to talk

We can work together to reduce the stigma that is associated with stress by talking about the topic openly and freely with colleagues, and by creating safe spaces for our people to share.

3 – Share your coping mechanisms

If something has worked for you, why not share it?  It may benefit someone else in your team, or in their families.

4 – Be considerate to those who are stressed

Treat others going through stress, or suffering from anxiety with compassion and empathy and encourage your team to do the same.

5 – Look after yourself

We all need to think more about self–care, even leaders.  Make sure that you take time out of your day to relax or do something that you enjoy.