Stress Awareness Month - April 2025

 April is Stress Awareness Month - It’s time to reflect on this all too common issue that’s part of many people's lives, and which we often accept as normal.

What is stress?

Stress is how we react when we feel under pressure or threatened. It usually happens when we are in a situation that we don't feel we can manage or control. When we experience stress, it can be as:

• An individual, for example when you have lots of responsibilities that you are struggling to manage

• Part of a group, for example if your family is going through a difficult time, such as bereavement or financial problems

• Part of your community, for example if you belong to a religious group that is experiencing discrimination

• A member of society, for example during natural disasters or events like the coronavirus pandemic

If you feel stress as part of a bigger group, you may all experience it differently. This can happen even if the cause of your stress is the same.

National Mind has a guide, www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/what-is-stress/  is full of information about the mental health impact of stress, self-help tips, ways to cope, treatments and information to help you identify the things that cause you stress and work through them.

If you would like more information you can contact our Mental Health Advice Service on 01273 66 69 50 or email us on info@mindcharity.co.uk and speak to one of our mental health advisors by phone or in person. You can also find more free resources and information at www.stress.org.uk/stress-awareness-month-2025/ and www.uok.org.uk/qwell-uok-digital-mental-health-support/