In the UK, we are thought to be experiencing a mental health recession as mental ill health continues to rise. Work-related stress remains one of the main causes of both short and long-term absences from work. Ultimately, it can lead to burnout, which has now been recognised by the World Health Organisation as an “occupational phenomenon”. A recent survey conducted by a charity called Mental Health UK found that around half of our workers feel “more prone to extreme levels of stress” compared with a year before and 1 in 5 “unable to manage stress and pressure in the workplace”. Only a quarter said that their workplace had a plan in place to spot the signs of chronic stress and prevent burnout in their employees. It is increasingly important for employers to take proactive measures to protect their employees’ wellbeing and also themselves from risk and liability in this area. One way to do this is by conducting stress risk assessments to identify risks and explore ways to reduce them or, where possible, remove them altogether. To combat stress, people need to have a good work-life balance, be supported and actually feel supported and that needs to be both at home and at work. This is particularly the case at the moment, given the cost-of-living crisis, as well as the impact of lockdown, which is still being felt by many. The more openly we can talk about stress, the more we will reduce any actual or perceived stigma surrounding it and the greater chance we have of preventing burnout. There is no better time than now to do this as April is Stress Awareness Month.