Guide to Stress Awareness Month: What it is & Activities
Stress Awareness Month takes place in April and is an important time to take a step back and recognize the effects of stress on our lives. Stress can manifest itself in myriad ways – from physical ailments to mental health issues. It’s important to understand how stress can affect each and every one of us, both in the short and long-term.
This guide is ideal for HR professionals looking for ideas to help build an employee engagement calendar, complete with key awareness days and activities.
History of Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month was first observed in the United States in April 1992. It was created by the Health Resource Network (HRN), a non-profit health education organization, to raise awareness about the causes and effects of stress.
Since its inception, Stress Awareness Month has been recognized by organizations and individuals worldwide as a time to focus on stress management and mental health. The goal of Stress Awareness Month is to encourage individuals to learn about what is behind stress, as well as effective strategies for managing it and promoting wellness.
Stress vs Burnout?
Stress is a response to a demand or pressure, and it can be both positive and negative. In small amounts, stress can be helpful because it motivates us to take action and achieve our goals. However, when stress becomes chronic or overwhelming, it can have negative effects on our physical and mental health. According to a EU-OSHA survey conducted in 2020, almost half (46.5%) of all workers in the European Union reported experiencing some form of work-related stress.
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. It is a response to chronic stress that has not been managed effectively. Burnout is characterized by feelings of detachment, cynicism, and a sense of being emotionally drained. People who experience burnout may also feel like they are not achieving their goals or that their work is meaningless. According to a Eurobarometer study published in 2020, burnout is most prevalent among workers in the healthcare, social assistance, and education sectors (where, for example, 48% female workers tend to be more exposed to overload of work).
Stress Awareness Activities & Ideas
April is recognized as Stress Awareness Month internationally, and organizations often use this time to promote stress management and wellness initiatives for their employees. Below, we’ve shared some stress awareness month ideas for HR professionals to work into a calendar. These activities will help with employee engagement and lowered stress levels at work. Investing in regular awareness activities and resources leads to money saved through improve productivity and lowered turnover rates.
1. Provide educational resources
We recommend that organizations provide their employees with information about stress management, such as tips for managing stress, resources for mental health support, and information on the importance of self-care.
2. Host stress-reducing activities
Organize activities for employees that promote stress reduction. Some tried and trusted ideas are: yoga classes, meditation sessions, or team-building exercises.
3. Offer mental health support
Offer mental health resources to your employees, such as access to employee assistance programs (EAPs), counselling services, or mental health first aid training.
4. Encourage work-life balance
Encourage your employees to prioritize work-life balance by offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible schedules.
What role does leadership play in creating a mentally healthy work environment, and how can executives lead by example? CEO of CCS Konstantin Von Vietinghoff recommends “creating channels for more open communication, allowing for distinct programs such as an EAP and other even more preventative measures. Some examples are Health Risk Appraisals, open forum discussions, soft skill offers, PSRA evaluation (psycho-social risk factors analysis). It’s important to be embedding the issue in the top down leadership education, specifically for middle management and team leaders.”
– Konstantin Von Vietinghoff, CEO, CCS (See LinkedIn profile).
How can CCS help?
As one of EMEA’s leading EAP and mental well-being providers, we offer complex and personalized solutions to help your employees manage stress better – both at work and in their personal lives.
1. Improve Employee Mental Health & Productivity with an EAP
This is a highly confidential program that includes 24/7 acces to a toll-free number where employees can receive support from specialists on different matters – either navigating a divorce, managing the stress of caring for their eldery, dealing with a financial setback or any other type of work-related stress. In some cases, employees may require more specialized support than an EAP can provide. In these instances, an EAP can refer employees to outside resources such as therapists, psychiatrists, or support groups.
2. Provide Educational Resources & Training
We can provide educational resources to help employees better understand stress and learn coping strategies. This might include articles, videos, or webinars on topics such as mindfulness, meditation, stress reduction techniques, conflict resolution, all delivered by a team of experts. These trainings can also be specialised on
the work-life balance topiv, which might include tips on time management, prioritization, and organization, as well as strategies for setting healthy boundaries and managing expectations.
3. Minimise Risks with PSRAs
PRSA is an assessment of the psychological and social risks associated with a particular situation or environment. We use it to identify potential psychological and social risks that could lead to negative outcomes and to develop strategies to reduce or eliminate the risks associated with stress, burnout, and bullying.
All in all, Stress Awareness Month provides an opportunity for organizations to reflect on their employees’ mental health and well-being and take proactive steps to mitigate stress. By creating a culture of openness and support, providing stress management resources, and promoting work-life balance, organizations can help their employees manage stress and lead healthier, happier lives.
It’s important to remember that stress management is a continuous process, and organizations should make efforts to prioritize the mental health of their employees beyond Stress Awareness Month. By doing so, they can create a workplace where employees feel valued and supported, leading to higher levels of engagement and productivity.
If you need help with implementing an EAP within your company or other ways in which you can support your employees, feel free to contact us here.
