The Chartered Institute of Public Relations has launched a campaign inviting PR professionals to take better care of their mental health.

Stress and depression are among the most concerning issues for professionals in the communication industry. Recent reports have unveiled long working hours and high levels of anxiety in almost a quarter of all PR professionals, and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has launched a mental health campaign to raise awareness of the issue. 

The CIPR’s campaign is an attempt to show support and a will to change from within the industry itself. In the latest edition of Influence magazine, the institute encourages PR professionals to switch off and focus on their mental wellbeing, taking 10 minutes to breathe and relax. The initiative is part of a campaign planned for Mental Health Awareness Week, looking to assist the whole sector in battling a business-critical issue. 

The campaign includes three articles on CIPR’s magazine, a tweet chat on mental health and a breathing exercise available on CIPR's YouTube channel.

The CIPR’s campaign echoes a growing number of reports on mental health concerns across the industry. According to CIPR’s own State of the Profession report, 63% of respondents rated the stressfulness of their job at 7 out of 10 or above, with little less than a quarter (23%) stating they had taken sickness absence from work due to stress or depression.

"This year’s State of the Profession research lifted the lid on the scale of the mental health challenge facing our industry," CIPR president Emma Leech says. "Almost a quarter of respondents said they’d taken sickness absence on the grounds of stress, depression or anxiety and there was evidence to suggest the nature of PR work contributes directly to poor mental health."

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