Rutland County Council (RCC) have highlighted the importance of National Stress Awareness Month, which takes place throughout April, directing residents to resources to support their mental health and stress management.

RCC shared on social media: "April is National Stress Awareness Month. Stress is one of the UK's biggest public health issues. It can cause numerous physical health problems, including heart disease and immune system challenges. It can also lead to more serious mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.

"There's no health without mental health and the Stress Management Society has lots of free resources that can help individuals and businesses."

The council directed residents to www.stress.org.uk, where resources can be found to help Rutland residents combat stress. including getting active and "moving in your own way".

Despite this emphasis on mental and physical health and its connections with easing stress, the council is also debating the closure of Catmose Sports Centre - a much-loved local facility used by nearly 1,000 members.

It is commonly accepted that regular exercise and movement helps reduce stress.

The NHS website states: "Research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, clinical depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease."

Stress, as well as mental and physical wellbeing, was one of the key arguments for residents who stood in opposition of the closure of Catmose Sports Centre last year, when the facility first faced closure.

The facility was kept open for another year by the last council, but once again faces closure if the council cannot find an operator to take on the contract at nil loss to RCC.

Residents are set to find out about the closure in the coming days.

Find out more about Stress Awareness Month here.

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