National Stress Awareness Week 2nd -6th November 2026
Stress is something that most of us experience at some point in our lives. While a certain amount of pressure can help us stay motivated, prolonged or excessive stress can have a significant impact on our mental and physical wellbeing, affecting concentration, productivity, relationships, and overall health.
Stress Awareness Week provides an important opportunity to start conversations, raise awareness, and encourage people to seek support when they need it. In the workplace, increasing awareness of stress is particularly important. Employees who feel supported are more likely to thrive, remain engaged in their roles, and seek help early before concerns develop into more serious mental health difficulties.
Research consistently highlights the impact that poor mental health can have on individuals and organisations alike. In response to growing recognition of the need for effective workplace support, MHFA England Workplace Mental Health First Aid Standards were launched on 6 October 2026, providing the first national evidence-based framework for supporting employee mental health through Mental Health First Aid provision. The standards were developed following consultation with employers, practitioners and more than 100,000 members of the Association of Mental Health First Aiders and set out clear expectations for creating effective, sustainable mental health support within workplaces. https://mhfaengland.org/standards-pledge/
The new standards emphasise the importance of:
- Strong leadership commitment to mental health and wellbeing.
- Creating a well-supported network of Mental Health First Aiders.
- Ensuring ongoing support and supervision for MHFAiders.
- Embedding mental health awareness into workplace culture rather than relying on reactive approaches alone.
These principles align closely with the aims of Stress Awareness Week by encouraging organisations to recognise the early signs of stress, create psychologically safe environments, and promote a culture where conversations about mental health are normalised.
How Essex Working Well Can Help
At Essex Working Well, we are committed to supporting workplaces across Essex to improve employee health and wellbeing.
We offer a range of free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA England) training opportunities, helping organisations build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to support colleagues experiencing mental health challenges.
Alongside MHFA training, we provide:
- Guest speaker sessions on a variety of wellbeing topics.
- Online self-care and wellbeing training.
- Workshops and awareness sessions focusing on stress management, resilience, mental wellbeing, and healthy lifestyles.
- Resources to help organisations develop positive workplace wellbeing cultures.
Whether you are looking to support your workforce during Stress Awareness Week or strengthen your organisation’s long-term approach to wellbeing, Essex Working Well has a wide range of support available.
Further Support
If you or someone you know could benefit from additional support, please visit:
- Men’s Support Groups: https://essexworkingwell.co.uk/latest-news-from-essex-working-well/mental-health-support-for-men-in-essex
- Mental Health Support: https://essexworkingwell.co.uk/latest-news-from-essex-working-well/mental-health-support-directory Taking action to recognise and manage stress benefits everyone. By raising awareness, encouraging open conversations, and ensuring support is available, we can all play a part in creating healthier, happier, and more productive workplaces.
