Help With Stress

Last week on the 4th November was Stress Awareness Day. Stress causes many problems of a psychological, physical and social nature and this is something that they health insurance companies are becoming more sensitive too.

Stress Awareness Day was sponsored by International Stress Management Association (ISMA) who want to draw attention to the harmful effects of stress. Ann McCracken, Chair of ISMA, said:

'Stress, depression and anxiety accounts for over 13.5 million workdays being lost each year, making it the single biggest cause of sickness absence in the UK. The aim, through the nationwide campaign, is to increase public awareness about the effects of stress, the treatments available and, most importantly, to help individuals suffering from stress to seek help using a team of stress experts.'

This years campaign focuses on work related stress.

The health industry as a whole is aware that stress causes mental and physical harm. What do private health insurance policies have to offer people when it comes to stress?

PruHealth consider fighting stress as an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In their latest Vitality Index research they found that 16% of people consider stress to have the biggest impact on their health. In their Vitality scheme the health insurer discounts off monthly premiums if their customers engage in a range of health enhancing activities.

Counselling Services
Because of an awareness of the impact that stress can have some medical insurance companies offer a free telephone counselling service in an attempt to combat this:

Aviva offer a 24hr Stress Counselling Helpline
AXA PPP Healthcare Stress Counselling Helpline

Fact Sheets
Most of the private medical insurance companies offer information about stress, its effects and how to overcome it. Most of this information is available free online for everyone not just their own customers. Additionally. Bupa offer advice on stress free living as part of their online Wellness Programme.

Psychiatric Cover
As a last resort patients may need psychiatric care if they have been exposed to too much stress. It is important to note that not all health insurance policies cover psychiatric care. Those that do tend to offer it within their more 'premium' levels of cover.