Mental Health

Mental health is a business-critical issue for the public relations industry.

Our annual State of the Profession report (2019) revealed that 21% of public relations practitioners live with, or have previously lived with, a diagnosed mental health condition reflecting national data. Over half of those respondents said their work contributes highly to their diagnosis.

Around a quarter (23%) of PR professionals say they have taken sickness absence from work on the grounds of stress, anxiety or depression. This is an issue that has far reaching consequences for employees and businesses. Organisations have a responsibility to take steps to protect the wellbeing of all their staff.

latest research

Download the Workplace Mental Wellbeing Audit 2022   to find out more on the current state of mental health in public relations.

pan industry support

In May 2021 we announced we were joining forces with the PRCA and ICCO to address the industry's mental health challenges and launched a new mental health survey with the agreement to use the findings to inform a joint programme of activity over the summer.  CIPR Health Chair Rachel Royall joined a Comms Hero podcast  to discuss our joint efforts in tackling this issue.

October 2021 Download the 'Workplace Mental Health Audit 2021 ' (pdf) to see the results of the joint mental health survey.

Member SUPPORT

The mental health support we offer members, provided by Health Assured, is financed by iprovision, the CIPR benevolent fund, who exist to support PR professionals who fall on hard times. Find out more information below. 

24/7 hotline available 365 days a year
Specialist information including legal, medical, consumer or tax 
Option for structured counselling
Critical incident advice
Health and wellbeing portal 
Health e-hub App

embedding wellbeing at work

The CIPR Health Group have released a series of five case studies focused on embedding wellbeing at work. Follow #CIPRWellbeing and @CIPRHealth on Twitter for more reaction.

Hotwire case study (pdf) Cambridge University Hospitals case study (pdf)
NHS Digital case study (pdf)
Ferring case study (pdf)
Surrey Police and Sussex Police (pdf)

CIPR mental health initiatives

• CIPR Health Group Covid-19 Wellbeing survey (pdf) August 2020
• CIPR 'Understanding Mental Health and Wellbeing' skills guide (pdf) August 2019
• CIPR 'Understanding Mental Health and Wellbeing' webinar August 2019
• CIPR launches #InfluenceTakes10 May, 2019 
• #CIPRChat on Mental Health May, 2019 
• CIPR breathing exercise video May 2019

Resources for organisations

• ‘How to Support Staff Who Are Experiencing a Mental health Problem’ – Mind
• ‘People Managers’ Guide to Mental Health’ - Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development with Mind
• ‘Managing Staff Experiencing Mental Ill Health’ - ACAS 
• ‘Promoting positive mental health in the workplace’  - ACAS
• ‘Taking Care of Your Staff’ – Mind
• ‘Mental Health Factsheet for SMEs’ – Institute of Directors

Resources for individuals

• ‘Looking After Your Mental Health’ - Mental Health Foundation
• ‘Tips and Advice to Boost Mental Health’ – NHS
• ‘Guide to Menstrual Cycles & Mental Health’  – Yopple

For more information on mental health and public relations, please contact Jon Gerlis.