Raising Awareness of Stress Around the World for 50 Years

Our goals are twofold: to raise awareness of stress around the world and to improve the ways in which stress is managed in the workplace and in our personal lives. We have dedicated ourselves to doing this for 50 years in 2024. These goals are reflected in this year’s theme Campaigning to reduce stress and improve wellbeing

International Stress Awareness Week

International Stress Awareness Week, between 4^th – 8^th November, is our major annual event focusing on stress management and campaigning against the stigma associated with stress and mental health issues. It was created in 2018 to raise awareness about stress and its harmful effects.

At the centre of the week on Wednesday 6^th November, is Stress Awareness Day, established by ISMA^UK over 25 years ago.

Global Online Stress & Wellbeing Summit

The fifth Global Online Stress & Wellbeing Summit will take centre stage on Stress Awareness Day, 6^th November. The all-day programme will feature renowned experts who will lead insightful discussions on topical subjects, from championing health, safety and wellbeing in organisations to minimising stress in a world increasingly dominated by technological advancements.

There will be four panel sessions and a lunchtime presentation -

• Beyond the Half Century: Reflecting on the Past, Charting the Future
• Community Care: How Organisations Champion Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Building Resilience: Nourishing Your Body with the Right Foods and Supplements
• Fostering a Healthy Workplace Culture: Proven Strategies That Work
• AI and the Future: Minimising Stress in the Light of Technological Advancement

These discussions will be watched by an international audience of stress management professionals, HR managers, psychologists, therapists, business leaders, specialists in organisational change, and anyone in society who is concerned about reducing stress.

Details of the Summit programme and speakers can be accessed here and here. Details of how to book tickets will appear here soon.

Our principal sponsor for the Global Online Stress & Wellbeing Summit 2024 is PPWD, specialists in the facilitation of programmes that bridge non-technical skills from trauma management to investigations, learning reviews, fair culture, wellbeing, and leadership.

Announcing the Inaugural Stress Management Awards

To commemorate 50 years of excellence in stress management and seeking to improve mental health, ISMA^UK is delighted to announce the 50^th Anniversary Stress Management Awards, supported by our lead sponsor PPWD. These awards aim to recognise businesses and organisations that have made significant contributions to enhancing employee mental health and reducing stress in the workplace. Go here how to find out how your company or organisation can enter.

Join our Sponsors

This year, 2024, marks a landmark as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. It's set to be an extraordinary year, and we are eager to collaborate with companies interested in joining our circle of sponsors.

We are grateful for the support of PPWD as principal sponsors of our 50th Anniversary Year, as principal sponsor of the Online Global Stress Summit 2024 and as lead sponsor of our Stress Management Awards. We invite you to join them, explore partnership opportunities with ISMA^UK and be part of our special celebration.

International Stress Awareness Week is our flagship event, attracting substantial exposure on broadcast and social media platforms. Companies and organisations who are taking steps to put employee wellbeing firmly on their agendas are invited to join in and support ISMA^UK and International Stress Awareness Week through sponsorship

Request a Sponsorship Pack

To receive a sponsorship pack with information about sponsorship opportunities during International Stress Awareness Week and with ISMA^UK in their 50^th anniversary year 2024, please get in touch with Carole Spiers at chair@isma.org.uk or on + 44 (0) 77 688 78910

Get Involved!

International Stress Awareness Week is our flagship event, so why not get involved in 2024? Join our campaign, help us achieve major goals, raise the profile of stress awareness and stress prevention, and promote the importance of wellbeing for individuals and organisations.

You can take part in International Stress Awareness Week in the UK or wherever you are across the world. Whether you’re new to ISMA^UK or already a member, Carole Spiers, Founder, International Stress Awareness Week and Chair of ISMA^UK, would love to hear from you. For more information, please email chair@isma.org.uk.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to join the conversation during International Stress Awareness Week, when ISMA members in the UK and internationally connect in dialogue with businesses and individuals, seeking to reduce the stigma around stress and mental health issues and developing solutions to improve the way these issues are managed. These are some of the issues on which you can share your thoughts -

• What each of us can do to reduce the stigma around stress
• How employers can improve the workplace culture around stress
• Ways in which stress management professionals can assist
• Do changes such as hybrid working help reduce stress levels?
• What support is available to those suffering from stress and poor mental health?

International Events

Events in support of International Stress Awareness Week and stress-related events at other times take place in countries around the world. For details of 2023 events that were held in Italy, Spain and India go here.

Running Your Own Event?

If you’re planning to run your own event during International Stress Awareness Week 2024 or in connection with it, please let us know a admin@isma.org.uk and we’ll promote it on our Events Calendar. To help with your event, please download ISMA^UK’s free Stress Management Resources here, These 11 fact sheets offer valuable help and advice, are very versatile for anyone to use and can form part of training programmes or consultations.

Please also download the leaflet on the right which tells you more about them.

Strong Media Interest

International Stress Awareness Week and Stress Awareness Day always attract strong media interest. Coverage includes features in newspapers and magazines, on online news sites, in newsletters, in specialist forums and in professional groups, both in the UK and internationally.

International Stress Awareness Week trends worldwide on social media, with exposure on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Please use these 2024 hashtags:

Could you help us promote International Stress Awareness Week within your network? If you would like to know more about media opportunities, please contact chair@isma.org.uk