Pringle Supports Stress Down Day

3.11.00pm GMT Tue 10th Feb 2009

Samaritans the leading emotional health charity held a reception in the Scottish Parliament to mark Stress Down Day last Friday.

Organisations throughout the UK participated in Stress Down Day; where they raised funds for Samaritans as well as running "de-stressing" activities such as allowing employees to wear their slippers to work.

Stress in the workplace costs UK business billions of pounds every year in lost productivity as well as the catastrophic emotional toll to those suffering stress.

Stress in the workplace is not a new problem however with the current economic climate workplaces are likely to be under more pressure with staff concerned about job security and other financial worries.

Samaritans have been leading the way in offering a free and confidential 24 hour emotional support service to people suffering from emotional distress over the last 55 years. They are particularly keen to extend their reach and promote awareness of their service into workplaces.

Mike Pringle MSP for Edinburgh South who attended the reception said:

"This is an excellent initiative. Stress at work is a serious problem in Scotland which not only costs the economy millions of pounds but has serious health implications.

"I can only commend the Samaritans for raising awareness about this important issue.

"The recent economic downturn may well have exacerbated the problems even further. I know for a fact that the Samaritans have been receiving a far greater number of calls and credit must go to their volunteers for all their hard work.

"Their campaign has my full support, the clam certainly made a welcome change at parliament last Friday."