MODULE TWO: COUNSELLING - FHI 360 Center for Global Health ...

CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF STRESS
The aim of this activity is to explore the causes and effects of stress so the YEF
HIV/AIDS Hotline counsellors are better prepared to prevent it and recognise
symptoms of stress.
There are infinite causes of stress. Stress can result from problems at work, at
school, at home and with friends. Stress can be caused by major events, such
as a death, minor events, or being stuck in traffic. Stress can also be selfimposed.
In other words, a person may cause himself to be stressed by having
unrealistic expectations or goals.
Since this session focuses on stress for YEF HIV/AIDS Hotline counsellors, it is
helpful to help participants explore sources of stress at the workplace. These
can include the following:
♦Heavy workload
♦Constant deadlines
♦Organisational problems
♦Poor status, pay and promotion prospects
♦Unnecessary rules and procedures
♦Job insecurity (Ex: If a company may be forced to close in the near
future).
♦Unclear role specification
♦Unrealistically high expectations
♦Disagreements with superiors or colleagues
♦Poor communication
♦Isolation from colleagues and time pressure
♦Stressful nature of the calls (Ex: crisis calls)
Too much stress can have both negative mental and physical effects on a
person 1 .
Physical Effects
•High blood pressure
•Disturbed sleep
•Headaches
•Muscle tension
•Knots in stomach or nausea
•Increased use of cigarettes,
alcohol or drugs
1 Wallace, S. 1998. Stress. http://www.virtualpsych.com/stress/fancyindex.htm
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