Adults in Wales reported the lowest mean mental wellbeing score on record in the year 2022 to 2023. Thankfully, the Welsh Government have introduced a ten-year strategy this year, with the aim of improving mental health and wellbeing in the nation.
As conversations grow louder in government, it’s important for everyday folk to be aware of stress and mental health—and what support is available.
The State of Mental Health in Wales
Wales has made strides in recognising and addressing mental health. But challenges remain. Public Health Wales recognises that mental health conditions account for and contribute to a huge proportion of illnesses in the country. They place a considerable burden on healthcare services and local communities.
Stress, in particular, has grown in prominence. Rising living costs, uncertainty in employment, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic have all contributed to higher levels of anxiety and stress-related illnesses. Greater awareness, though, has meant more people are seeking help, but demand now outpaces the available resources.
The Government in Wales has a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. It focuses on early prevention and is a person-centred approach, aiming to improve mental health services and prevent mental health problems. The strategy was only announced in April, so we can’t yet predict its impact.
Common Causes of Stress in Wales
Stress is a natural human response. However, prolonged exposure to it can be damaging. In Wales, people report the following triggers most often
- Financial pressure. With inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, many households are under strain.
- Work-related stress. High workloads, job insecurity, and long hours are significant stressors.
- Health concerns. Long-term conditions or having to support family members with poor health adds to the mental load.
- Social isolation. This is a particular problem in Welsh rural communities. Loneliness contributes to stress.
- Family responsibilities. Balancing childcare and elder care and dealing with work commitments. This stress is further exacerbated by having children or relatives with special needs or disabilities to care for.
Each of these factors can combine to create a cycle that’s difficult to break without external support. Knowing the root causes of stress is a starting point. Only when stressors are known can solutions be found.
The Impact of Stress
Stress obviously affects mood. But there’s a greater impact of it, too. Prolonged or chronic stress can influence and affect your physical health as well as your relationships and general wellbeing. In Wales, GPs are seeing an increasing number of patients with physical symptoms linked to stress. These include headaches, sleep problems, and digestive issues.
In the workplace, stress is also a problem. Stress contributes to absenteeism and reduced productivity. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) notes that stress (alongside depression and anxiety) is the leading cause of sick leave across the UK. Welsh businesses are not immune.
For people on an individual level, stress can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Many people find themselves overeating, using substances, or withdrawing from social contact.
Support Services and Resources in Wales
Wales has a variety of resources and services to support people struggling with stress and mental health issues. NHS Wales has GPs, mental health professionals, and counsellors who are all a first port-of-call for these concerns. Obviously, we’re not naïve to the difficulties of waiting times, but the services are there. For urgent help, there are crisis lines and out-of-hours teams.
Local charities and community groups, like Mind Cymru and Hafal, bridge any gaps. These organisations have helplines, drop-in centres, and peer support. They’re also big advocates for reducing stigma and giving people tools to manage their stress better. For those with more complex challenges—like substance misuse linked to stress—specialised facilities—like an addiction treatment centre—are also available.
Online resources and apps are also popular now. And they make it easier for people across Wales and in rural areas to access support at any time. Some initiatives are exploring innovative approaches, such as trialling VR headsets to support mental wellbeing. These immersive environments help with mindfulness and stress relief, especially for people who might struggle using traditional methods.
Workplace and Educational Initiatives
Stress doesn’t exist in isolation. It always has a root cause. Often, this is work or education. Many Welsh employers are stepping up. There are several who offer in-house counselling services and wellbeing workshops.
Given that stress and anxiety levels in the younger generation have risen sharply in recent years, schools have an important role to play. Early support means stress doesn’t escalate into more serious mental health conditions later in life.
Building Personal Resilience
Systematic change is, of course, vital. However, individuals can also help themselves by taking steps to reduce the impact of stress on their lives. Techniques that can improve resilience include
- Mindfulness.
- Exercise.
- Journalling.
- Maintaining strong social connections.
In Wales, there are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature’s resources. Green spaces, like coastal paths, Eryri National Park, and the Brecon Beacons, are a great way to de-stress. Studies show that regular exposure to nature can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and improve overall mood.
Looking Ahead at Mental Health Improvements in Wales
The new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy comes with a delivery plan for 2025 to 2028. It replaces what was the Together for Health framework. The strengthened areas include stronger focuses on early intervention, prevention, and making sure people are referred to the most appropriate support the first time.
Some key priorities in the strategy and delivery plan are
- The expansion of same-day mental health support. In particular, for urgent or non-clinical cases.
- Building a stepped care model. This means people only move to specialist services if it’s needed. This should reduce delays and improve efficiency.
- Strengthening the mental health workforce. The Strategic Mental Health Workforce Plan sets out 33 actions. These aim to make sure staff are valued, trained and distributed more evenly across Wales.
- The enhancement of cross-government action on social determinants of mental health. This means things like housing, employment, and loneliness. It also means building non-clinical support into wellbeing care.
These are some of the more concrete steps that are being planned for, but it’s not a quick fix. Waiting times, regional disparities, and stretched services are still big issues. Hopefully, though, the 2025–2028 delivery plan will be a clear roadmap. Time will tell if the promises translate to improvements.
Conclusion: Stress and Mental Health in Wales
Like everywhere in the UK, stress and mental health are huge issues in Wales. But it seems that progress is being made—or at least, it’s being planned for.
Wales has a variety of pathways for support with stress and mental health, including charities and specialist facilities.
While there is still a lot of work to do, the direction of travel is positive. By continuing to invest in services, Wales is working towards a future where support is accessible to all who need it, when they need it.
