Thu, 12 Jan 2006
Dealing with stress
Automated call centres, mobile phones and computers crashing top the stress scale of modern life according to a new report from health charity DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP) released today (12/01/06). In response, over a third of men (34%) turn to alcohol and a quarter (25%) of the population resort to cigarettes to help them feel less stressed, says the DPP report.The report also highlights confusion around what stress actually is. Many people (68%) think stress is simply having a ‘bad day’ and 57% see it as having too much to do. Many (64%) wrongly believe that stress itself is an illness.
These findings mark the launch of DPP’s Dealing With Stress campaign which shows people how much they can do to manage their stress and avoid the knock on effects of depression and anxiety. The report provides a stark insight into how stressed we all feel, how stress is misunderstood by the UK population and our failure to adopt effective coping mechanisms. It also includes top tips for tackling stress at home and at work and shows what employers can do to support their staff in dealing with stress.
The good news for employers is that even though stress is a major cause of sickness absence, 41% of people feel that work actually helps them deal with their stress which indicates that work can have a positive effect on personal stress and 63% of people would not consider taking time off if they were stressed.
On the flip side, stigma in the workplace still exists as a quarter (25%) of people admit they would be so worried about what their boss would think that they wouldn’t take time off for stress.
DPP’s new campaign reinforces the importance of talking about stress to help reduce this stigma - particularly after findings also showed that only 23% of people would speak to their manager and a mere 15% would speak to their occupational health department - which can often be an excellent support to employees.
DPP Spokesperson Dr Rosemary Anderson says:
"Considering that most people (79%) believe they have been stressed in the last year it is worrying that they are seeking solace in alcohol and cigarettes when there are many positive things that people can do to help themselves cope plus feel better in the long term.
There is clearly a lot of confusion about what stress is and people often underestimate how much they can do to manage their stress. The Dealing With Stress campaign aims to redress this."
Supporting the initiative, Chris Rowe, Head of HSE (Health and Safety Executive) Psychosocial Policy says:
"The Dealing With Stress campaign complements the HSE Management Standards, which aim to prevent stress at work by describing the sort of things that should be in place in good, high performing, caring workplaces."
Mind spokesperson Alison Cobb says:
"There is an urgent need for employers to assist workers in managing stress at work, now a major economical problem. Just as all workplaces have a physical health policy, so they should have a mental health policy. We urge for more understanding and openness of stress and mental health problems in the workplace - today’s competitive and pressured work environments can make it very difficult for people to disclose mental health or work stress problems without the fear of affecting their career prospects."
Notes to editors
ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1003 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 7-8 December 2005. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at ICM Research.
DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships (formerly Doctor Patient Partnership) is a health education charity working with primary care organisations and the public to make the most of health services and help people manage their health by improving health knowledge and communication. www.dpp.org.uk
Contact: DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships; Pam Prentice 020 7383 6144 pprentice@bma.org.uk or Marianne Mcglynn 020 7383 6828 mmcglynn@bma.org.uk
Regional Statistics PDF Download