#StressAwarenessMonth with BYHP

​There’s no beating about the bush on this one, life can be tough sometimes. Whether you are 15 years old or 75, there will be challenges to overcome. And, whatever their nature, these aren’t always easy to resolve or deal with. 
April is actually Stress Awareness Month (source). This has been marked for the last 20 years, designed to raise awareness of causes and cures of stress to help people deal more effectively with their own and others’ stress.  
Over the last few years, there’s been an alarming trend in rocketing stress levels amongst children and young people in the UK (source). There can be many causes behind stress amongst young people, for example the rise of social media and cyberbullying; pressure at school; or money problems faced by parents and felt by their children. There’s no quick fix for stress, no easy way to overcome it. What’s most important is talking to someone, sharing your fears and concerns.  
One of the key initiatives promoted during Stress Awareness Month is talking about your stress. The more we as individuals open up on our own struggles with stress, the easier it is for others to share their experiences. There still remains a stigma around admitting you’re having problems and need help, and it’s important that this stigma is removed.  
It’s sometimes difficult to understand other people’s stress and anxiety (particularly if it’s something we’re not able to empathise with ourselves). However, what may not seem like a big deal to one person may be a constant concern for another, and our experts work hard every day to support our young people and give them the coping mechanisms they need. Here at BYHP, our experts have the training and experience needed to help those amongst our young people who are dealing with stress.  
If you’d like to know more about the causes of stress and how best to deal with it for yourself or to support a friend or loved one currently struggling with it, visit www.stress.org.