SCOTLAND is a nation under stress, according to a new report which has found that almost three-quarters of adults have been so stressed at some point over the last year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.

More than a third (35 per cent) have experienced suicidal thoughts with one sixth of people (16 per cent) reporting they had self-harmed.

Women and young people are particularly badly affected, the survey found.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to seek help if they are worried about their mental health.

Marking the start of Mental Health Awareness Week today, she said it was important to be open about stress and mental health.

She revealed she enjoyed reading to unwind but added that she was also making a commitment to be more active to take time out from the pressure of her job.

Sturgeon stressed that anyone worried about their mental health should seek help via their doctor, NHS 24, or helplines such as Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or the Samaritans on 116 123.

According to the new report from the Mental Health Foundation, 74 per cent of Scottish adults were so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. Eighty per cent of women were affected compared to 68 per cent of men while severe stress was experienced by 83 per cent of 18-24 year-olds compared to 66 per cent of people aged 55 and over. Suicidal thoughts were found in a similar percentage of women (35) to men (34) but 33 per cent of 18-24 year-olds thought of suicide compared to 26 per cent of people aged 55 and over.

When it came to self-harm, the overall percentage was 16 per cent but it was more common among women – 21 per cent compared to 11 per cent of men. The percentage was even higher for 18-24 year-olds at 24 per cent compared to seven per cent of people aged 55 and over.

The Foundation is calling for more measures to be implemented to help people with stress, including introducing well-being days for public sector workers.

Brian, from Glasgow, began to experience mental health problems as a result of stress and had to pay for private treatment because of the long waiting list for counselling on the NHS.

He had been happy with a good, well-paid job and colleagues he liked but was forced to take a new job with less money and fewer hours in a city far from his friends and family all while experiencing problems in his domestic life. The stress affected his sleep and his memory and he developed a vocal tic.

However, while his GP was sympathetic all she could offer short-term was a sleeping pill so Brian paid to be fast-tracked for counselling. “Stress had become anxiety and then given way to isolation and depression,” he said.

Lee Knifton, head of the Mental Health Foundation Scotland, said Brian’s symptoms were common.

“Very large numbers of adults in Scotland are experiencing high levels of stress and it is damaging our health,” said “Stress is one of the great public health challenges of our time, but it still isn’t being taken as seriously as physical health concerns.

“Individually we need to understand what is causing us personal stress and learn how to respond most effectively. But we also need to change at a societal level.

“This includes ensuring that employers treat stress and mental health problems as seriously as physical safety.”

To mark Mental Health Awareness week several Scottish landmarks and public buildings will tonight be lit green, the internationally established colour for mental health. Buildings include Edinburgh Castle, SSE Hydro, Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire and Galloway Council headquarters in Dumfries.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Scotland Foundation launched its Mental Health Fund making £320,000 of funding available to charities focussing on mental health.

Charities can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 which will be awarded for one year only. Applications must be made via the Bank of Scotland Foundation website before noon on July 6, 2018. www.bankofscotlandfoundation.org.