Stress Management Programme
Why do you need this programme?

As long as we are alive we will experience stress. Sometimes stress levels are low (e.g. when we are asleep) and sometimes stress levels are high (e.g. being assaulted or attacked). Stress cannot be avoided, and our stress level is never at zero. The (Holmes and Rahe) social readjustment rating scale, listed 43 life events associated with varying amounts of disruption and stress in the average person's life.
(e.g. Death of a spouse = 100 life-change units, or retirement from work = 45 life-change units)

A certain amount of stress is needed for meeting the challenges of our lives and for providing the energy required to maintain life and adapt to a constantly changing environment. It is when our capacity to cope with the amount of stress we experience has been exhausted that we experience loss of control, burn-out, etc.

The psychological symptoms of stress, e.g. sleeplessness, depression, loss of interest, uncontrolled crying, anxiety, etc., can be misdiagnosed for years. We often feel that something is wrong, but do not quite know what it is. By treating ourselves, we misdiagnose and before we know it, our problem has escalated and worsened, and may need professional treatment.

It is only when we experience the physical effects of stress, e.g. chronic headaches, backache, hypertension, mental illnesses, that we seek help. Seeking help in itself is a stressful event. Who do you talk to? What do you say? Where do you go? These are some of the questions you may ask yourself.

MEDbenefit has taken the initiative in developing a Stress Management Programme, which is aimed at promoting and guiding the management of stress.


What is the MedBenefit Stress Management Programme?

The Stress Management Programme is available to all members of medical schemes administered by Medscheme (PTY) LTD, who are registered with the MEDbenefit programme. Confidentiality and integrity of member information is a core element of this programme.

The programme consists of an inbound Stress-line, supported by a registered nurse who has specialised in Psychiatric nursing. The Stress-line can be accessed by phoning the following number: 0860 000 101.
A computerised logging system is in place to ensure appropriateness of member information, follow-ups, referrals and outcome measurements.

The Stress-line will offer you:

• Telephonic counselling, advice, education and support.
   
• Scientific and clinically-based articles and brochures on relevant topics, e.g. Depression and Anxiety, Stress Management, Conflict Management, Effective Communication Skills etc., which can be sent to members on request. These articles and other information regarding the programme can also be accessed on the MEDbenefit website: www.medbenefit.co.za.
   
• A specific e-mail address is also available to members stress@medbenefit.co.za  for queries and assistance.
   
• Referral/directing of members to appropriate service providers, community resources and health facilities, where necessary.
   
• Two follow-up calls will be made to participating members to track progress.

Our programme is continuously updated and enhanced to meet the changing needs of our members.


Here is a simple test to determine what your stress level is:

Tick each stress event that you have experienced within the last 12 months. Then add the score for each item you ticked.

Stress level score:

If your stress level score is:

Less than 10: You have a low stress level and your life has been stable in most areas.

10-15: You have a moderate stress level and there has been a lot of change in your life.

16 or higher: You have a high stress level and there have been major
adjustments in your life.

Tips on how to manage stress effectively:

• Establish a support system by involving other people who care about you and are sympathetic to your situation. Loneliness, isolation and lack of social support during periods of stress create physiological damage and aggravate the effects of stress.
   
• To live is to communicate. Through communication we gain understanding of each other and ourselves Learn to like, influence, and trust each other; begin and end relationships; and learn how others perceive us.
   
• Express your feelings. To experience emotions and express them to another person is not only a major source of joy, but also necessary for your psychological well-being. It is natural to have feelings.
   
• Resolving conflict. “Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced” - James Baldwin.
   
• Manage your anxiety and fear. Do not fear anxiety. Accept your fear and anxiety as natural feelings that are to be experienced but not fought or resisted. The key to managing fear and anxiety is to simply accept them.

References
Johnson D.W, Reaching out: Interpersonal Effectiveness and Self-Actualization, Fifth edition; p 267,1993.

Kaplan H.I, Sadock B.J, Grebb J.A, Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences clinical Psychiatry, Seventh edition; p 755,1994

For more information visit our website at www.medbenefit.co.za

Call us: 0860 000 101
Contact us: stress@medbenefit.co.za