Everyone can feel worried and anxious from time-to-time. However, if you struggle with stress, these emotions can be so intense that they can prevent you from functioning effectively in your daily life and can have a negative impact on your general health and wellbeing.

According to a stress survey conducted across Scotland, 74% of individuals reported feeling overwhelmed or unable to manage at some point in the previous to stress.

More than a third of respondents (35%) to the poll, which was commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation, reported having had suicide thoughts or feelings as a result of stress.

Meanwhile, 16% of respondents claimed that stress-related feelings had led to self-harm.

To kick off Mental Health Awareness Week, which has been organised by the Mental Health Foundation for the past 18 years, YouGov commissioned the study. The study’s sample size is 1012 individuals.

Stress: Are We Coping, a publication from the Mental Health Foundation, contains the study.

On Wednesday, May 16, 2018, there was the release of additional research on stress and young people.

Head of the Mental Health Foundation of Scotland, Lee Knifton, stated:

“Very large numbers of adults in Scotland are experiencing high levels of stress and it is damaging our health. Stress is one of the great public health challenges of our time, but it still isn’t being taken as seriously as physical health concerns.

“Stress is a significant factor in mental health problems including anxiety and depression. It is also linked to physical health problems like heart disease, problems with our immune system, insomnia and digestive problems.

“Individually we need to understand what is causing us personal stress and learn how to respond most effectively.

“But we also need to change at a societal level. This includes ensuring that employers treat stress and mental health problems as seriously as physical safety.

“We are also asking for well-being days to be provided to public sector workers as part of reducing the pressure on those who work hardest to look after us.”

74% Of Scottish People Reported Feeling Too Anxious Or Overwhelmed To Function At Some Point

• 80% of women and 68% of men agreed with this.
• Those aged 18 to 24 were more likely to say it (83%), compared to those over 55 (66%).

Stress-Related Suicide Feelings Were Reported By 35% Of Individuals

• This was said by 35% of women versus 34% of males.
• Those aged 18 to 24 were more likely to say this (33%), while those over 55 (26%).

Stress-Related Self-Harm Was Reported By 16% Of Individuals

• This was said by 21% of women versus 11% of men.
• Compared to 7% of people 55 and older, 24% of 18 to 24 year old’s claimed this.

In Addition

Several Scottish monuments and government structures will be lit up in green for the first time throughout this week to commemorate it. The Edinburgh Castle, OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire, King’s College Chapel in Aberdeen, Ness Bridge in Inverness, Slessor Gardens, Seabraes Bridge in Dundee, and the Dumfries and Galloway Council headquarters in Dumfries are a few examples of structures. Green is the recognised colour for mental health on a global scale. On the evening of Monday, May 14, the structures will be illuminated.

The largest mental health arts festival in the world, the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, is being organised by the Mental Health Foundation during this time.

In Holyrood, prominent public leaders including the First Minister will wear the Green Ribbon pin badges to support mental health.

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Reference

Stressed: 74% Of Scotland ‘Overwhelmed Or Unable To cope’ in past year (2018) Mental Health Foundation. Available at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/about-us/news/stressed-scotland-overwhelmed-unable-cope-past-year (Accessed: May 20, 2018).