Stress made 74% of people feel 'unable to cope'

Stress is taking its toll with almost three quarters of Scots who took part in a survey feeling unable to cope in the past year.

According to a BBC report, in the poll commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation, more than a third of people (35%) had experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings due to stress. One sixth of those surveyed (16%) said they had self-harmed as a result of feelings of stress.

The results are announced at the start of Mental Health Awareness week.

The study was carried out by YouGov for the campaign which has been run by the Mental Health Foundation for the past 18 years.
The study quizzed 1,012 people and is included in a new report by the foundation called Stress - Are We Coping?

Lee Knifton, head of Mental Health Foundation Scotland, said: "Very large numbers of adults in Scotland are experiencing high levels of stress and it is damaging our health. Stress is one of the great public health challenges of our time, but it still isn't being taken as seriously as physical health concerns. Stress is a significant factor in mental health problems including anxiety and depression. It is also linked to physical health problems like heart disease, problems with our immune system, insomnia and digestive problems."

Ms Knifton said employers also needed to treat stress and mental health problems as seriously as physical safety. She added: "We are also asking for well-being days to be provided to public sector workers as part of reducing the pressure on those who work hardest to look after us."

See the full report here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-44101294