Today is World Mental Health Day!

Our mental health is a vital aspect of life, shaping our personal and professional wellbeing. Yet, in Northern Ireland, 1 in 5 people continue to face the reality of living with a mental health condition, and NI continues to have one of the highest rates of suicide compared to other regions in the UK.

This year's theme is: Mental Health In the Work Place

Recent survey findings highlight that mental ill-health is responsible for over half of all work-related illnesses, with 51% of long-term sick leave attributed to stress, depression, or anxiety (HSE, 2022). That's why we're here to help you recognise the signs of burnout and work-related stress.

Physical Symptoms

• Frequent headaches, stomach aches, or other muscular aches and pains.
• Exhaustion, low energy, or trouble sleeping.

Emotional Symptoms

• Feeling overwhelmed or on edge.
• Feeling irritable or easier to anger.
• Feeling tearful or easier to upset.
• A heightened sense of anxiety or increased levels of worry.

Stress Related Behaviours

• Poor timekeeping and struggling to meet deadlines.
• Increased absence.
• Working longer hours.
• Loss of interest in work.
• Difficulty concentrating impacting productivity, decision-making and problem-solving skills

Self-Help Strategies

• Reach out to your manager and colleagues about how you are feeling.
• Get organised and deal with problems as they arise.
• Take your breaks and switch off when you are not at work.
• Give yourself credit for what you do.
• Download AWARE NI's "Stress at Work" factsheet for more tips and information - click here!

How AWARE NI can be By Your Side 

At AWARE NI, we understand how important it is to talk to people who truly get what you're going through. Recovery can be a challenging journey, with ups and downs that sometimes feel overwhelming. Our free, welcoming mental health support groups provide a space to connect with others impacted by mental ill-health, where you can share, learn, and be there for one another. Open to anyone 18 and over living with low mood, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, our support groups are accessible—no waiting lists or clinical diagnosis required. Find your nearest one by clicking HERE.

Tags: AWARE | Depression | Fundraising | Mental Health | Northern Ireland | work place | work place anxiety | work place stress | world mental health day