Stress Awareness Week

3 - 7 November, 2025

 

This year’s International Stress Awareness Week theme, “Optimising Employee Wellbeing through Strategic Stress Management” highlights the importance of workplace cultures that prioritise growth, support, recognition and psychological safety.

 

Building a culture where your people feel safe and empowered to succeed with training and support can drive a healthier and productive workforce.

 

View our latest resources to help your organisation support its people - including the brand new Stress Buster Collection from our L&D experts.

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The impact of workplace stress

Figures from MHFA England paint a stark picture: 79% of UK employees are experiencing moderate-to-high stress levels, and it's having a major impact. 16.4 million lost days, or 21 days per employee were lost to stress, depression, and anxiety last year, the highest on record.

But the effects go far beyond lost time. Chronic stress disrupts the heart, immune system, and brain - increasing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and burnout.

Meanwhile 57% of employees want access to mental health counselling, yet only 1 in 5 can get it. When support is hard to reach, problems escalate.

Early action matters. Proactive stress management keeps people healthy, engaged and performing at their best. Here are some ways we can help.

How workplaces can
support stress management

Essential eLearning

Help your people spot the signs of stress and act

Workplace stress can affect performance, engagement and wellbeing, but timely learning interventions can make a significant difference.

The new Stress Buster Collection, developed by learning and development specialists, gives employees and managers the knowledge, tools and confidence to recognise stress, take action and build resilience, supporting healthier, more productive teams.

 

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Technology and analytics

Support teams and unlock insight with the right tools

Technology can play a powerful role in reducing workplace stress. By simplifying processes and ensuring compliance with evolving employment laws, empower® removes uncertainty and creates consistency.

 

Its guided journeys and employee relations analytics build on this by helping managers confidently self-serve ER cases, giving HR leaders the insight to act proactively before pressure builds. This eases HR burnout and creates a more positive employee experience where people can perform at their best.

 

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Workshops and training

Building personal resilience with practical tips

Our Building Personal Resilience workshop helps individuals understand and strengthen their ability to cope with challenge and uncertainty. Through practical tools and guided reflection, learners will learn how to manage their energy, sustain motivation and assess their own resilience levels.

They’ll leave with clear strategies to build personal wellbeing, maintain balance under pressure and enhance working relationships, driving both individual and organisational performance.

 

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Practical toolkits

Mental health and wellbeing advice

Supporting your team’s mental health isn’t simple. Spotting the signs, knowing what to say, keeping conversations going, and recognising when to seek expert input, it all takes confidence and know-how.


Our toolkits gives managers and HR teams practical resources to help them support mental health and wellbeing in line with employment law.

The toolkits cover:

 

  • The role and value of mental health champions
  • Promoting mental fitness and wellbeing
  • Addressing mental health concerns early
  • Managing absence linked to mental health.

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Connect with Empowering People Group experts to explore tailored strategies for supporting mental health in your organisation.