PRCA and CIPR aim to inspire ‘Heard Mentality’ with new mental health campaign

The PRCA and CIPR have launched their first joint campaign to inspire public relations and communications professionals to take positive action on mental health across the industry.

Launched ahead of Global Listening Day, the pan-industry ‘Heard Mentality’ campaign urges leaders to hear the concerns of colleagues and encourages team leaders to hold constructive talks with their team members or peers on mental health.

The professional bodies are challenging the entire PR workforce – including in-house, agency, and independent practitioners – to host conversations in the week commencing 13th September. The PRCA and CIPR will issue conversation starter packs to individuals and organisations hosting discussions.

According to research conducted jointly by the CIPR and PRCA, due out later this year, 90% of PR professionals reported poor mental health in the last 12 months. Both bodies have committed to working together on a programme of activity and a Heard Mentality event will be organised for professionals without access to teams or peers.

How you can ’Join the Heard’

1. Organise – or encourage your employer to organise – a face-to-face or online ‘Heard Mentality’ conversation during the week commencing 13th September.
2. Complete this form to register to receive a conversation starter pack and let us know you are planning to support the campaign.
3. Pledge your support on social media by sharing this tweet. #HeardMentalityPR
4. Prepare for the discussion by considering;
– how your colleagues are doing
– what practical changes can be made in the workplace to support your mental health
– your own personal experience of mental health

Rachel Royall, Chair of CIPR Health Group, said:

“For too long we’ve accepted that high stress is just the way it is, but it doesn’t need to be that way. The cost of poor mental health is too high from a human and a financial perspective. We can do better and take action to improve the environment our industry operates in and in turn respect diversity and help talent to flourish.”

Francis Ingham, PRCA Director General MPRCA said:

“I’ll be candid – there have been times over the past year or so when my own mental health has hit rock bottom. I’m not embarrassed to say so. We need to speak honestly and openly about this.

“It’s time for a step-change in how we address mental health. This campaign can be the start of meaningful progress – we need to stop, listen and act on the concerns of our colleagues.”

The #HeardMentalityPR campaign marks the start of a collaboration between the PRCA and CIPR on mental health. Additionally, both bodies are actively supporting an industry-wide initiative to establish a mental health charter, supported by PRWeek.

Find more mental health resources from both bodies online:

– PRCA Mental Health Toolkit
– CIPR Mental Health

The PRCA and CIPR would like to thank the team at FleishmanHillard for their time, energy and creative input on the campaign.