Stress and mental health problems
12 May 2018
This article was featured in the June 2018 issue of the magazine.
A recent UK-wide stress survey commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation to launch Mental Health Awareness week has found that:
-
74% of adults have at some point over the last year felt so stressed they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope
-
32% had experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings because of stress, and
-
16% said they had self-harmed due to feelings of stress.
The study is included in the report Stress – Are we coping, published by the Mental Health Foundation.
Isabella Goldie, Mental Health Foundation director, said: “Stress is a significant factor in mental health problems including anxiety and depression. It is also linked to physical health problems like heart disease, problems with our immune system, 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.
“We also need to change at a societal level. This includes ensuring that employers treat stress and mental health problems as seriously as physical safety.
“We are also asking for well-being days to be provided to public sector workers as part of reducing the pressure on those who work hardest to look after us.”