About ISMA^UK

ISMA^UK has three main strands that run through the organisation and shape who we are and what we do:

1.  Professional Body

ISMA^UK promotes sound knowledge in the prevention and reduction of human stress and actively promotes best practice in the field of stress management through our membership, both nationally and internationally.

We are the leading professional association for both personal and workplace stress management and have been supporting mental health, wellbeing and performance for over 30 years. With branches in seven countries, ISMA^UK has a global reach, hosting an annual and highly popular Global Online Stress & Wellbeing Summit which attracts internationally recognised speakers on stress, resilience, mental health and wellbeing, as well as on a broad range of other related subjects. 

2.  Membership Association

ISMA^UK sets professional standards for the benefit of both individuals and organisations using the services of its multi-disciplinary professional membership.

As a membership association, our practitioners and consultants are able to provide a variety of stress management services, primarily flexible training courses and coaching to individuals and businesses in both the private and public sectors, assisting around 40,000 people that need professional help with stress-related issues every year.

3.  Charity

As a charity, ISMA^UK disseminates and exchanges knowledge through initiatives such as International Stress Awareness Week (first established in 1998 as National Stress Awareness Day), which is organised and hosted by ISMA^UK to advance education and understanding in the field of biological stress.

Among many events related to stress management ISMA^UK is involved with, our flagship event is International Stress Awareness Week, which includes the highly commended ISMA^UK Global Online Stress & Wellbeing Summit, held during the first week of November every year.

End of Year Report

2024 has been another very productive year for ISMA^UK. You can read about our achievements and activities in an End-of-Year Report for 2024, which can be accessed here. Amongst other things, there have been successful events including a well-attended Online Global Stress & Wellbeing Summit on Stress Awareness Day 6^th November, several Online Webinars, and the launch of our inaugural Stress Management Awards.There has been a lot of positive activity amongst our international branches and representatives; we have strengthened our connections with partner organisations; and increased our presence on social.

We hope you will find this report interesting to read, and please contact us if you would like to know more about any of the topics covered. 

Our theme for 2025 is Optimising Employee Wellbeing Through Strategic Stress Management. If you would like to contribute towards this campaign, please contact chair@isma.org.uk as we are always looking out for organisations and individuals who can work with us to reduce stress and improve wellbeing.

Why Not Keep in Touch?

As the leading professional body for those with an interest in stress management, mental health, wellbeing and workplace performance, ISMAUK would love to send you news and updates about what’s happening in the stress and wellbeing community and about regular events they hold through the year. You’ll find something of interest, whether you’re a practitioner, an HR professional or people manager, a company director or manager, or a specialist consultant.

To receive more information and sign up please go here.

Professor Lennart Levi – an Enduring Legacy

Professor Lennart Levi, who passed away on 18th February 2024, was a past ISMA International President, and a stalwart advocate for ISMA^UK and ISMA International. He dedicated valuable time and effort to us, assisting our mission immeasurably. Professor Levi’s substantial contributions to the stress management profession stand as testament to his profound impact, leaving behind an enduring legacy that will serve as a perpetual source of inspiration and benefit for countless individuals.

Watch this video, based on a 2020 interview between Professor Levi and Carole Spiers, Chair, ISMA^UK, when he talked about –

• Issues affecting occupational health, including the treatment of symptoms, intervening in situational causes, and the promotion of wellbeing
• How to get ‘decent work’, one of 16 Sustainable Goals in the UN Agenda 2030, implemented by adding it to higher education curricula
• What remains to be done, following the endorsement by all 193 member states of the UN’s Agenda 2030

Further biographical information can be found here.