Can a stressful job be harmful to our health?

A certain amount of stress/pressure can “supposedly” be beneficial to us, by making us more productive. However, too much stress over a long period of time can have negative impacts on our health. A recent study from Spain sought to examine what these negative effects were and to what extent could stress increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and coronary heart problems. 

The research was carried out by the insurance company Ibermutuamur, and two universities in Spain and the findings were published in the peer reviewed Scandinavian Journal of Public Health.

The purpose of the study was to determine whether a correlation exists between stress (from work) and abnormal levels of fat (lipids) in the blood. Worryingly, high levels of bad cholesterol known as LDL cholesterol – caused by fat in the blood - can block arteries which in turn may lead to coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.

Just over 90,000 people took part in the study which was conducted through questionnaires. Participants were asked questions relating to how they felt they coped in their job: “During the last year, have you frequently felt that you cannot cope with your usual job?". Participants who answered "yes" were considered to have job stress.

The questionnaire also included eleven questions relating to anxiety and depression symptoms, such as "Have you felt keyed up, on edge?" and "Have you had difficulty relaxing?” The researchers took fasting blood samples from participants measuring levels of total cholesterol, and then examined whether abnormal lipid levels were linked to job stress. The study did take into account age, sex, smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption and also type of job (blue or white collar occupation).

Results

Around 8,000 (9%) of participants are reported to have job stress; in addition these individuals also reported higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms, and were found to have a 10% increase in abnormal lipid levels and higher levels of LDL cholesterol, than those who did not consider their job stressful.

Although these findings have been regarded as generally strong in understanding the relationship between stress and bad cholesterol, what the study did not take into account is that, individuals who suffer from stress or poor mental health, may indulge in high risk behaviour as a coping mechanism. This could increase their risk of developing higher levels of “bad” cholesterol as they may be more accustomed to unhealthier diets and/or consume higher levels of alcohol. Therefore, rather than the stress itself, these other “risky behaviours” may play a fundamental role in causing peoples “bad” cholesterol to rise.

Nonetheless, what this research highlights is that stress (too much of it) and poor mental health is detrimental for our wellbeing and for society as a whole. Whether it causes our cholesterol to rise or whether it causes us to indulge in health risk behaviour – the message remains clear that improving ones mental health should be paramount in order to tackle many of the other health related problems that exist in today’s society.

What can you do?

The RSPH believe that we all have a responsibility to ourselves and to others, to help prevent, protect and promote good mental health practices. As such a one day programme on Mental Health and Wellbeing has been developed, to provide people with practical skills and knowledge to understand the measures they can take to improve not only their own mental health, but also help the wider community. Click here to download the report on Mental Health in the New Public Health System and click here to find out more about our programme.   

Good Mental Health holds the key to long term wellbeing

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) has brought together experts from across the whole field of Mental Health in a thought provoking seminar on the role of Mental Health in the New Public Health System.

The passing of the Health and Social Care Act, the drive towards localism, and the Government’s approach to improving the population’s health through promotion of preventative measures, have begun to place mental health in the spotlight. 

The purpose of the seminar was to examine the impact of mental health on public health and wellbeing and its place within public health policy. The evidence shows that mental health and overall wellbeing can no longer be treated as separate challenges; they are closely interlinked and poor mental health affects a wide range of social and broader health issues.

The panel of speakers brought together statistics to show how poor Mental Health affects communities, and encouraging examples of effective methods and guidance tools, being used to assess the impact of change on the mental wellbeing of all stakeholders. 

Professor Richard Parish, Chief Executive of RSPH commented, “Mental health must be a top priority for Health and Wellbeing Boards.  Poor mental health has a huge impact on local communities and is a heavy cost to the NHS and local authorities.  The RSPH is delighted to have run a seminar designed to improve the effectiveness of local mental health strategies. We believe that positive changes can be achieved by sharing good practice and better collaboration between local councils, Third Sector organisations, and the NHS".

The speakers at the seminar included Professor Lord Patel of Bradford, Gregor Henderson, advisor to the Department of Health England on Mental Health and Wellbeing, Dr Jonathan Campion, Consultant Psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Tony Coggins, Head of Mental Health Promotion at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Graham Rushbrook FRSPH and Professor Richard Parish, Chief Executive of RSPH.

If you would like more information on the seminar, please contact Nelly Araujo at RSPH.

Email naraujo@rsph.org.uk or telephone 020 7265 7322.