Mental Health Awareness Week

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. I’m glad that there is more awareness of mental health among people in the UK. The stigma attached to talking about mental health is disappearing. That said, the conditions for stress and anxiety are ever-present. The CIPR and PRCA 2023/24 mental health wellbeing audit found that 91% of practitioners reported poor mental health in the last 12 months. We talk about how to help yourself, and how to help others.
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

Transcript

Mental Health Awareness Week

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. I’m glad that there is more awareness of mental health among people in the UK. The stigma attached to talking about mental health is disappearing. That said, the conditions for stress and anxiety are ever-present. The CIPR and PRCA 2023/24 mental health wellbeing audit found that 91% of practitioners reported poor mental health in the last 12 months. Overwhelming workloads causing workplace stress was a significant factor. The research showed that PR practitioners have a higher risk of poor mental health than the general UK workforce, despite many more practitioners working from home fully or partially since the COVID pandemic.

Apart from looking after the mental health of people working in PR and comms, we also have the skills to communicate mental health issues to the wider population. I love the McDonald’s campaign this week. They have removed the smile from the box for children’s Happy Meals. The message to kids is that it is fine to be sad sometimes. There is a sticker pack inside the box to decorate it as you feel.

Two things to think about. 

• Look after yourself. 

It is fine to say “no” to tasks you cannot do because of a lack of time or competence. Explain why; you will then appear less bolshie. Try not to work beyond your expected hours. Put the work phone on silent in the evening. Reduce screen time. Make plans to do things with family and friends. Make time to go for a walk, run, swim or whatever form of exercise you enjoy. I found that running along footpaths and fields was a great way to improve my mood after a long working day. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is Empower Half Hour. ‘All our Health’ public health research shows that we are 20% less active than in the 1960s when I was born. The data shows a link between physical and mental health. Here’s a bunch of ideas:

• Schedule work walking meetings
• Create a fake commute around the block before you work from home
• Make a team playlist of dance music
• Try a new exercise activity. Pickleball anyone?

• Look after others.

Become a Mental Health First Aider. I did the two-day course in March. It was excellent, and I felt it empowered me to help others talk about their mental health. For example, you are walking over a bridge and see someone sitting on the parapet alone, looking into the void of the river below. What do you do? Before the course, I would have either walked on past, not wanting to disturb the person, or engaged them in conversation about the weather (typically British and Irish - my two nationalities). I now know to approach them directly and ask if they intend to take their own life, and if yes, to ask if they have plans to do that. Continuing to talk to them about suicide. And phoning 999. The course covers lots of everyday workplace situations, too. I believe it helps you identify mental health symptoms and point people in the right direction of professional support. It is all about talking, having conversations- what we practitioners are usually very good at doing!

@MHFAEngland.   #EmpowerHalfHour