Stress doesn’t just make you feel bad – it can also be bad for your health. The good news is there are measures you can take to deal with it.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging those experiencing stress to participate in stress control classes which it is funding and are being delivered by Health and Social Care Trusts across Northern Ireland.
Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure, and pressure turns into stress when you feel unable to cope.
Common signs of stress include sleeping problems, sweating, loss of appetite, and difficulty concentrating. You may feel anxious, irritable, low in self-esteem, have racing thoughts, worry constantly or go over things in your head.
You may notice that you lose your temper more easily, drink more or act unreasonably. You may also experience headaches, muscle tension or pain, or dizziness. Stress causes a surge of hormones in your body. These stress hormones are released to enable you to deal with pressures or threats – the so-called 'fight or flight' response.
The free Stress Control programme is held once a week over six weeks and teaches skill and techniques for managing stress.
Topics covered include an overview of what stress is, controlling your body, controlling your thoughts, controlling your actions, managing panicky feelings, getting a good night’s sleep and planning for the future.
Stress control is a class, not ‘group therapy’ – you do not have to talk about personal difficulties in front of others.
Details of the latest round of Stress Control classes for each Trust area are below:
Belfast Trust
No need to register for classes – just show up!
| Belfast HSC Trust |
Venue |
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Skainos |
Belfast Central Mission |
Falls Road Library |
Crumlin Road Gaol |
PEC, QUB, Group Room 3 |
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6:30pm – 8:00pm |
12:00pm – 1:00pm |
6:30pm – 8:00pm |
6:30pm – 8:00pm |
12:30pm- 1:30pm |
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January/February 2020 |
6th Jan- 10th Feb |
7th Jan – 11th Feb |
7th Jan -11th Feb |
8th Jan - 12th Feb |
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February/March 2020 |
24th Feb- 30th Mar | 25th Feb - 30th Mar | 25th Feb - 30th Mar | 26th Feb - 30th Mar |
5th Feb- 13th Mar |
Western area
No need to register for classes – just show up!
| Western HSC Trust |
Venue |
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Foyle Arena, Derry / Londonderry |
Strabane Enterprise Agency |
Omagh Enterprise Centre |
Fermanagh House, Enniskillen |
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| 6:30pm - 8:00pm | 6:30pm - 8:00pm | 6:30pm - 8:00pm | 6:30pm - 8:00pm | |
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January/February 2020 |
9th Jan - 13th Feb |
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February/March 2020 |
3rd Feb - 9th Mar |
4th Feb - 10th Mar | ||
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March/April 2020 |
7th Mar - 11th April |
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May/June 2020 |
2nd May - 6th June |
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Northern Trust
Contact: Nikita Bujwid, [email protected]
| Northern HSC Trust |
Venue |
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Monkstown Village Centre |
Glengormley Integrated Primary School (TBC) |
Ballyclare Town Hall |
Coleraine CRUN Centre |
Magherafelt Meadowbank Sports arena |
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7:00pm – 8:30pm |
7:00pm – 8:30pm |
10:30 am- 12 noon |
10:30 – 12 noon |
6:30pm – 8:00pm |
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February/March 2020 |
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5th Feb - 11th March |
4th Feb – 10th March |
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February/April 2020 |
27th Feb - 2nd April | 26th Feb - 1st April | 27th Feb - 2nd April |
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South Eastern area
Contact: Julia O’Grady, [email protected]
| South Eastern HSC Trust |
Venue |
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Saintfield Community Centre |
Londonderry Park Pavillion, Newtownards | Lisburn Library | ||
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11.30am - 1:00pm |
Wednesday 6.00pm - 7.30pm |
11.30am - 1:00pm |
6pm - 7.30pm |
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January/February 2020 |
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21st Jan - 25th Feb |
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February/March 2020 |
11th Feb - 17th Mar | 4th Feb - 10th Mar | ||
| April/May 2020 | 15th Apr - 20 May | |||
Southern area
To register for any of the following Stress Control classes please call SRC on 0300 123 1223 – registration will open on 15th February 2020
| Southern HSC Trust |
Venue |
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Southern Regional College, Lecture theatre, Lurgan Campus |
Southern Regional College, Lecture Theatre, Newry Campus |
Southern Regional College, Gym, Armagh Campus |
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Thursday 6:30pm – 8:00pm |
Tuesday 6:30pm – 8:00pm |
Wednesday 6:30pm – 8:00pm |
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February/April 2020 |
27th Feb - 2nd April
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26th Feb - 1st Apr
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April/May 2020 |
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21st April - 26th May
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To register for any of the following Stress Control classes please call 02837517170 – registration is open now
| Southern HSC Trust |
Venue |
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Banbridge Library |
AmmA Centre (behind Library) |
Ballygawley Area Development Association |
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Thursday 10:00am - 11.30am |
Monday 10:00 am - 11.30am |
Wednesday 10:00am - 11.30am |
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February/April 2020 |
27th Feb - 2nd April |
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| March/April 2020 | 2nd Mar - 6th April | 4th Mar - 8th April | |