Despite significant evidence of the harmful effects of stress in individuals and the subsequent cost in terms of human suffering and lost production due to sickness leave, management may still apply covert sanctions against people who have the 'courage' to admit to their stress. Distancing herself from such attitudes, Caroline Hiscox describes the results of her staff survey which demonstrates an over-whelming endorsement of the need for support groups to help health care workers cope with the stressors they encounter in their professional and domestic situations.