Workplace Stress & Mental Health: When Pressure Becomes Too Much

A demanding period at work does not automatically mean you have a mental health condition, but sustained pressure can affect sleep, mood, concentration, relationships and physical wellbeing.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Hub

Signs work pressure may be affecting you

You may notice persistent dread about work, irritability, exhaustion, sleep disruption, difficulty concentrating, withdrawing from others, loss of motivation or physical symptoms associated with stress.

What practical steps can help?

Where possible, identify the specific pressures involved, prioritise workload, take appropriate breaks, protect time away from work and speak to a manager, HR team, occupational health service or employee assistance programme if available.

When should you seek healthcare support?

Seek professional help if symptoms are persistent, severe, affecting daily functioning or you are struggling to cope. Your GP can assess mental and physical factors. NHS Talking Therapies can also be accessed by self-referral for appropriate problems in England.

Stress, anxiety or depression?

Symptoms overlap, which is one reason not to rely on self-diagnosis. Read Stress & Burnout and Low Mood vs Depression.

If you are in crisis

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health support that is not an emergency, call NHS 111 and select mental health option 2.

General information only.