World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. Following our most recent survey carried out by YouGov the PRCA MENA aims to help support the PR Industry within the region.
PRCA MENA’s second Mental Health report will be launched on Sunday, 10th October.
A conversation can change a life.
Perhaps this is one of the pandemic’s unexpected, enduring legacies: We’re now more aware and empathetic of each other’s own mental health challenges.
From industry leaders to the most junior PR professionals, we’ve seen an industry rally together and find new meaningful connections with colleagues, rivals and peers, by having open and honest conversations. Simply, you don’t have to be a mental health expert to reach out to others and see how they’re getting on.
As we move through the pandemic and cope with our high-stress jobs, there’s an urgency for everyone – both employers and staff – to put mental wellbeing at the top of the agenda.
PRCA MENA worked with YouGov to survey a total of 1,728 PR and communications professionals across the MENA region between 5 July and 9 August 2021.
PRCA MENA Mental Health Report 2021
View last years PRCA MENA Mental Health Report 2020
Francis Ingham MPRCA, Director-General, PRCA
If you’re reading this report, it probably means that you’re interested in how to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the place where you work.
You’re in good company: across the world, PR and communications leaders are increasingly recognising the importance of positive mental health in their organisations, their clients, their teams, and themselves. The PRCA has long been committed to supporting the industry in improving its mental wellbeing, and this commitment has only been strengthened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the strains it has put on all of us.
Looking through this report, I note that the number of people saying that COVID-19 has worsened their mental health is 42%, virtually unchanged from last year. It is clear that the mental health impact of COVID-19 is not going away quickly even if we have, I hope, now seen the worst of this pandemic.
Hayley Clements MPRCA, General Manager, PRCA MENA
Since PRCA MENA produced its first Mental Health Report in October last year, I’ve had a number of conversations about the importance of this topic in a profession that is exciting and even glamorous at times – but can also, as we all know, be draining and stressful.
It’s good to know that the industry is taking the topic seriously. And I’d love to talk to even more of you over the next year about making change happen, and making the profession an even happier, healthier place.
Ahmad Itani MPRCA, Chairman, PRCA MENA and founder and CEO of Cicero & Bernay Communication Consultancy
The first step to improving an organisation’s mental well-being is dedicating time to talking and thinking about it. Mental health is not always an easy topic, but it is an incredibly important one on both human and business levels, especially during a pandemic.
No matter where you or your organisation are on your mental health journeys, I hope you find this report useful as it comprises insights regarding regional PR practitioners’ sentiments on mental wellness
