PRCA and CIPR relaunch annual joint mental health survey

30 October 2023

The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) have relaunched their annual joint mental health survey as part of a collaboration designed to address mental health challenges in public relations.

Delivered in partnership with Opinium, the survey will help benchmark the industry’s progress on mental health. Last year’s study revealed that PR professionals are significantly less likely to take time off work to rest and recover from poor mental health compared to other UK workers. It found one in five (22%) PR practitioners who experienced poor mental health had taken time off from work in the last year compared to the national average of 41% across all professional industries. Encouragingly, the survey highlighted a small improvement in mental wellbeing scores that had returned to pre-pandemic levels.

CIPR CEO, Alastair McCapra said:

"I'm very proud that both bodies have joined forces once again for this important piece of work. The modest progress revealed last year is encouraging and demonstrates a step in the right direction but clearly much more is needed. By completing the survey this year you can help us identify where that action is needed. Too often, working in public relations can feel overwhelming and for too many, their relationship with work is the cause of poor mental health. That is unacceptable and unsustainable. We have a long way to go and I hope this collaboration helps move us closer to embracing a healthier approach to work."

PRCA Managing Director Renna Markson said:

"While last year’s survey did highlight a small improvement in mental wellbeing scores, which had returned to pre-pandemic levels, there's still much work to be done. Our industry is still a place where people have a lower quality of mental health than they should. Employers and employees alike have a part to play. Both our organisations are committed to improving mental health across our industry, and this survey helps us work out where our priorities should lie. We encourage our members to take part, have their say, and help to set a healthier agenda across public relations, communications and public affairs.”