'Edging into crisis' | Why HR must act earlier this Stress Awareness Month

April marks Stress Awareness Month, an annual event observed every April since 1992, dedicated to increasing public awareness about the causes, effects, and management of stress.

The Stress Management Society, a nonprofit organisation established in 2003, has been championing this initiative for over two decades. Its mission is to help individuals and organisations recognise and reduce stress, fostering happier, healthier, and more resilient communities.

This year’s theme, #BeTheChange, urges employers to move beyond awareness and take practical, preventative action to tackle rising stress levels across the workforce.

For HR leaders, the message is increasingly urgent. From long-term sickness absence to presenteeism and retention challenges, workplace stress is no longer just a wellbeing issue, but it’s fast becoming a growing organisational risk.