Here’s some suggestions and links to support your own wellbeing and mental health.

(Please remember that this information is only a guide and that your own organisation may have its own advice or policies in place to assist you.)

Understand workplace stress

From the pressure of meeting a deadline, to dealing with a difficult client, most of us will experience a degree of work stress from time to time. Problems can arise when your stress levels feel overwhelming and begin to have negative effects on your wellbeing. When it comes to getting your stress levels under control, a good place to start is understanding how to recognise the signs of stress and learning more about its causes. When you are more informed about what is causing your stress, you will be in a better position to consider suitable solutions.

Speak to your employer

If you feel that you are unable to manage your stress on your own, then the next step could be to speak to your manager or employer. Doing so can help them to understand which aspects of your role are causing your concerns and then identify solutions.

Practice self-care

There are various ways you can look after yourself at work, to help minimise the effects of stress and maximise your wellbeing. Taking regular breaks, whether that's lunch hours away from your desk or making use of your annual holiday entitlement, will make you feel more in control and allow you to recharge and recuperate between periods of stress. If you are working from home, try to prevent your work life from spilling over into your home life. If possible, have a designated space in your home for working and either close the door on it after work or tidy it away as best as you can at the end of the working day. Trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle more generally - taking regular exercise, eating and sleeping well and limiting your intake of alcohol and caffeine - will also benefit your mental health in and out of work.

Know your rights

In the UK, employees are protected by the Equality Act 2010 which states that it is illegal to treat anyone differently without good reason because of a “protected characteristic”, such as a disability. The Act says that a mental health problem is a disability if it has a substantial and long-term impact on your ability to carry out day-to-day activities. The protections provided by the Act can apply in practical ways, such as requiring your employer to make reasonable adjustments (see below) and preventing them from unfairly discriminating against you because of a mental health problem.

Reasonable adjustments

Employers are required by the Equality Act 2010 to provide reasonable adjustments to people with disabilities, including mental health conditions. Practical examples of reasonable adjustments include flexible working patterns, (such as changes to start and finish times), provisioning for home working, providing quiet working spaces, excusing employees from larger meetings and offering additional supervision or support.