Common Questions 1

Will I have to talk about my problems?

No. This is a strict rule at every Stress Control class. You will never be asked to speak or share your personal issues during the session. To be absolutely clear, it’s not just that you don’t have to talk; you are not allowed to. For those who would find it helpful to discuss their problems, we encourage you to explore other options available within your service.

There are three key reasons for this policy:

• Comfort: Many people feel uncomfortable speaking about their problems, especially in a group of strangers. We want you to feel at ease during the class, which is why you can simply come in, take a seat, and listen to the trainer, knowing you won’t be asked to contribute. You also won’t be required to write anything during the session.
• Content: Each session covers a lot of material. If participants were allowed to talk, we wouldn’t be able to complete everything we aim to cover.
• Effectiveness: Research, including our own and studies from around the world, clearly shows that our approach works well. People do not need to discuss their personal issues in order to manage their stress effectively.

Will I be the most stressed person there?

Rest assured, you won’t need to discuss your problems in class, so no one will know who is the most stressed. Participants come for various reasons:

• Clinical intervention: Many attendees are experiencing significant stress that is impacting their lives, and they want to learn how to manage it.
• Prevention: Some may be feeling fine but want to acquire skills to prevent stress in the future.
• Early intervention: Others may recognise that their stress levels are rising and want to address it before it escalates.
• Relapse prevention: Some participants have previously undergone therapy and return to refresh their skills. The CBT techniques taught in this course are similar to those they learned in therapy.
• Support for others: Additionally, some may attend to learn effective ways to help a friend or family member cope with their stress, especially if your service allows access for loved ones to come along for support.

Everyone in the class shares a common goal: learning how to manage stress better.

What if I have a panic attack? 

It’s possible that some people have experienced a panic attack in a Stress Control class, but it’s much more common for most people to feel general stress, especially right before the class begins when you might be anxious about the “what ifs.” To help prevent feelings of panic, consider making a plan:

• Watch the welcome videos and read the preparing for the course booklets so you know exactly what to expect
• Arrive early to give yourself time to settle in
• Take a seat and take a moment to look around instead of focusing on your phone
• Do some belly breathing (learn how to in the belly breathing blog) before the class begins

As you look at others in the class, remember that they may appear relaxed, but many of them are likely feeling stressed too—you just can’t see it. They understand what it’s like to feel stressed, just like you do. You’re all in this together!

What if I'm not better by the end of the course?