New projects launched for National Stress Awareness Day

November 4th National Stress Awareness Day (NSAD) and people are being urged to look at different ways of coping with the harmful effects of stress.

Now in its 11th year and organised annually by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA), it aims to help people suffering from stress by highlighting the many sources of help available and giving free advice to people.

Business managers are especially being encouraged to seek advice.

Ann McCracken, chair of ISMA, says: "Stress, depression and anxiety accounts for over 13.5 million workdays being lost each year, making it the single biggest cause of sickness absence in the UK."

The NSAD will be providing free drop-in advice and access to stress advisors who will be at selected Boots stores and other venues nationwide.

Over 60 of the advisors will be located around 12 Boots stores, ten Health and Safety Executive offices and 40 other participating organisations.

Last month, a new Challenge Fund was announced by the Department for Work and Pensions which is set to make money available for the next two years to firms who want to launch projects to address issues such as stress and work-life balance.