Stress Awareness Month

April is National Stress Awareness month, aimed at raising awareness of the negative impact of stress.

Stress and poor mental health are one of the biggest health challenges facing our society today. There is no single definition of stress but the most common is physical, mental or emotional strain or tension. Whilst not all stress is negative, nevertheless long -term stress can have harmful effects upon both physical and mental health.

Stress is a widespread feeling that almost all of us will experience at one time or another during our lives. It is a very subjective experience and while some people may experience no stress in a particular situation, others may experience considerable stress which could potentially lead to other health problems.

It is important to recognise the signs of stress, to take steps to deal with these and to build up resilience. This could include exercise, getting enough sleep and taking time to connect with family and friends.

Stress can filter in from various parts of our lives, including our workplace. Your employer is under a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect you at work, both physically and mentally. If an employee, as a result of their work, has suffered an identifiable psychiatric injury which ought to have been reasonably foreseeable to their employer yet the employer failed to take reasonable steps the protect the employee, there may be a potential claim for compensation.

If you consider that you have suffered stress at work, have suffered an injury as a result and that your employer failed to take reasonable steps to protect you, please contact Joanne Kerr on 028 92445235 for a free, no- obligation consultation.

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