Mental Health in PR and Communications: Progress Made, Work to Do
The PRCA MENA Mental Health Report 2025, developed in partnership with YouGov, provides a comprehensive snapshot of mental wellbeing across the PR and communications industry in the MENA region. Based on responses from 565 professionals across 19 MENA countries, the report highlights rising awareness, evolving workplace attitudes, and the ongoing gap between intention and action when it comes to mental health support.
Key findings:
- Mental health is a clear priority
An overwhelming 97% of professionals consider mental health important, reinforcing its growing significance in workplace culture
Widespread Recognition: An overwhelming 96% of respondents view mental health as essential to their quality of life. - Awareness continues to rise
68% of respondents say they feel “very well-informed” about mental health, up from 66% in 2024, while 72% feel confident recognising signs of mental health challenges in themselves or others. - Workplaces strongly influence wellbeing
85% of professionals report that their workplace directly affects their mental wellbeing, with work-related stress (45%), personal finances (39%), and poor work-life balance (35%) cited as key drivers. - Improved perceptions of employer support
71% of respondents feel “completely” or “moderately” supported by their organisation — a significant increase from 42% in 2021. However, only 30% feel fully supported, indicating room for deeper engagement. - Stronger peer support than formal systems
Nearly half of professionals (49%) turn to colleagues for support, while only 19% approach HR or supervisors and 21% consult mentors, highlighting reliance on informal networks over structured channels.
The Path Ahead
While awareness is high, the report identifies persistent challenges that organisations must address:
- A disconnect between awareness and action
Although most respondents know professional support is needed during mental health crises, only 42% actually seek professional help, with many opting to cope alone or rely on friends and family instead - Inconsistent organisational communication
22% of respondents say their workplace does not communicate about mental health at all, and only 20% report hearing from senior leadership, signalling a need for stronger leadership visibility - Uneven implementation of support initiatives
While some organisations offer flexible working (26%), wellness activities (32%), or mental health insurance (27%), 18% still provide no mental health support, underscoring inconsistency across the industry
Why It Matters:
The findings reinforce that workplace culture, leadership behaviour, and clarity of support systems play a decisive role in mental health outcomes. Long hours, high workloads, and blurred boundaries continue to contribute to stress and burnout, while environments that prioritise flexibility, trust, and psychological safety see stronger wellbeing outcomes.
Mental health is no longer a “nice to have” — it is fundamental to sustainable performance, creativity, and retention across the industry.
Be Part of the Change:
The PRCA MENA Mental Health Report 2025 is a call to move beyond awareness toward consistent, embedded action.
Organisations are encouraged to normalise mental health conversations, strengthen leadership accountability, and implement accessible, structured support systems that employees can trust.
With special thanks to PRCA MENA Mental Health Committee, for their continued commitment to advancing mental wellbeing across the industry.
