Stress Awareness Day

International Stress Awareness Day takes place on the 5 November 2025. This day aims to encourage individuals to recognise the signs of stress in their lives and to adopt healthier coping strategies. 

Stress is a common part of modern life, affecting millions of people worldwide due to work pressures, personal challenges, financial concerns, and more. While some stress is normal, chronic stress can lead to serious health problems, including anxiety, depression, heart disease, and sleep disorders. 

The Stress Management Society offers a stress test to help you assess your current levels of stress and understand how it may affect your daily life. Once you have completed your stress test you will find tools and tips to help you live a more stress-free life. You can take the stress test by clicking here.  

HSCNI offer online stress control programmes that take place over a 6-week period. They combine behavioural therapy, positive psychology, and wellbeing to help you tackle common mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, panic, poor sleep, poor wellbeing, low self-confidence, and low self-esteem. Classes will run from 3 November to 8 December this year, with more opportunities to do the course next year. Click here for more information.  

Stress support available within the College:  

• The College’s Mental Health First Aiders can assist and support you until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crises resolves. 
• Lena by Inspire has counsellors that are available 24/7, 365 days a year and can help you to understand and better process how you might be feeling. They can help you problem-solve, and to come up with a realistic action plan for how you will move forward. 
• You can visit the Lena by Inspire Support Hub to learn more about how to look after your wellbeing and maintain good mental health, as well as sign up for training in mental health awareness. To access click here and use the pin SERCSTAFF.
• Information and other external partners can be accessed in the Healthy Minds section in Mind Yourself App.