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
Resources for organisations
Resources for individuals
For more information on mental health and public relations, please contact Jon Gerlis.