Free Stress Management Classes in September

NHS Borders is running a series of weekly classes throughout September 2015 to give people practical advice on managing stress.

Coping with life’s everyday challenges can lead to stress in many different forms. To help cope with these stresses, free classes are being run in Kelso throughout the month and will take the form of hour long sessions.  

This is a great opportunity to come along to one or all of the classes to learn about the common effects of stress, and get some practical advice. Classes will be run by Sinead Murray and Jaime Black, both Clinical Associates in Applied Psychology within NHS Borders Mental Health Service.

These classes are not group therapy and you will not be asked to talk about yourself or your personal circumstances. If you feel that you need further one-to-one support then you will be encouraged to contact your GP for more appropriate support. Support group contacts, self-help leaflets and DVDs will also be available at the classes.

Classes will take place at Kelso Library Contact Centre on the first four Tuesdays in September from 5.30 – 6.30pm. The classes are open to everyone and they are free, however booking is essential.

To reserve your place contact Kelso Library Contact Centre on 01573 223171. 

The programme for the classes will run in the following order:

Week 1:          Understanding stress

Week 2:          Improving sleep and relaxation

Week 3:          Managing thoughts that bother you

Week 4:          Feeling better about yourself

Sinead Murray, Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology and one of the organisers of the programme, said: “It is very common for people to get stressed, anxious or depressed at some point in their lives.  The good news is that there are lots of helpful things you can do to improve how you are feeling. 

“Our stress management classes are one way we hope to educate people about the common signs and effects of stress, equip them with some practical skills and techniques to relieve the symptoms, and give advice to help manage stress more effectively in the future. 

“We have been running the classes since the beginning of 2015 and so far we have supported many people in the Borders to cope with stress. 

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