Testimonials

As a training provider for the CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Mental Health and Wellbeing, endorsed by ISMA, it is crucial to have suitably qualified members leading in mental health and wellbeing worldwide. ISMA has been at the forefront of this field. It is wonderful to celebrate ISMA’s 50th anniversary with like-minded people all over the world.

The unique feature of ISMA, distinguishing it from other international stress management organisations since its creation 50 years ago, is the pedigree of its Executive Council. Psychological greats such as Hans Eysenck, Joseph Wolpe, Charles Spielberger, Edmund Jacobson and Cary Cooper have been life members of ISMA, and we have been privileged to count great names such as Lennart Levi, Jan van Dixhoorn and Konstantin Sudakov among our leaders. Presidents and chairpersons have included distinguished experts such as Joe MacDonald Wallace, Laurie van Someren, Stephen Palmer and Carole Spiers. ISMA is the only international organisation in its field that has hosted impressive events such as Stress Awareness Day UK and International Stress Awareness Week and also held meetings with groups such as the US Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) and the Sydney International Congress. ISMA also has international reach in South America, Australia, India, New Zealand, Japan, and the islands of Oceania.

I am delighted to have been associated with ISMA for some years now, both as an International Ambassador and as the convener of stress awareness events in Italy. We have now held seven stress awareness days, timed to coincide with International Stress Awareness Week each year. These are very well attended – last November we had 1,000 physicians and stress consultants attending. Themes discussed include work-related stress, stress and pollution in the environment, stress and beauty, and many more. I have been inspired by Carole Spiers and her dedication to stress management, supporting good mental health, wellbeing and performance, and look forward to many more years of working with ISMA.

The International Stress Management Association (ISMA^UK) is an organisation that cares passionately about people and the organisations that they work in. What you see and hear behind the scenes is reassuring. They are leaders in the world of stress management and wellbeing. The organisation founded International Stress Awareness Week and Stress Awareness Day. This has helped to increase knowledge and awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding stress and also encouraged people and organisations to increase their focus on people’s wellbeing. As a result of ISMA^UK’s trusted reputation, they can rely on many professionals from across the world to support them in the work that they do. What a caring, professional and impactful organisation ISMA^UK is.

As someone who is dedicated to helping businesses and workplaces reduce stigma and encouraging compassionate equality for those challenged by mental health challenges, I am delighted to be an Ambassador for ISMA^UK and to be part of the team in ISMA^UK‘s 50th year. Through my work as an NHS Service Leader focused on employment services, I see at first hand the increase in stress-related illness and mental health issues and know that we must redouble our efforts to combat the stigma that still attaches to these issues. ISMA^UK is the leading professional association for workplace and personal stress management and I applaud the work that they have been doing and will hopefully continue to do for the next 50 years.