Stress Awareness Week

This week was National Stress Awareness Week, an annual opportunity for us all to check in with ourselves.  Stress can cause “burnout” (physical and emotional exhaustion), anxiety, and depression.  A change in the way someone thinks or feels can also be a sign of stress, for example, mood swings, being withdrawn, loss of motivation, commitment, and confidence, and increased emotional reactions (being more tearful, sensitive, or aggressive).  Councillors are not immune to stress, but councils have a legal duty of care towards their clerk and other officers, so monitoring workplace stress is vital.

See the resources at https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/11/03/stress-awareness-week-2025-time-to-act-on-work-related-stress/

and https://www.acas.org.uk/managing-work-related-stress

and ensure that you, and all those in your council – staff and councillors – are aware of the early warning signs.