Managing Mental Health in the Workplace – Promotional, Marketing and PR Industries

Very tight, almost unreachable deadlines, constant travel and managing client expectations may be ‘all in a day’s work’ for those working within the promotional, marketing and PR industries but they can start to weight heavy. And when they do, the impact on mental health is significant.

A recent report highlighted that PR agencies and working in the promotional sector places a high level of strain on health, mental health in particular. Nearly a quarter of the workforce in PR have a mental health condition and with stress levels at an all-time high, it is clear that the relentless nature of this kind of work can no longer go on.

At Envisage Promotions, like many other premium promotional staffing agencies, we are acutely aware of how the fast-paced world of promotional work can impact on health and wellbeing. So, what can we do about it?

You are not alone

The hardest thing to ask for when you are in a dark place is help. It is vital that we understand that it is not ‘just us’ and we are not alone in dealing with anxiety, stress, depression and other mental health conditions.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, one in six adults has suffered from a mental health issue with up to 10% of the population experiencing depression in their lifetime. Around 8% of the population will suffer from anxiety at some point in their lives too.

For too long, we have seen “admitting” to mental health problems as taboo, something to be ashamed of. The conversation around mental health and what it means to different people is beginning to show the true extent of mental health problems in the UK.

Mental health IS a health issue

If you had a physical ailment that was affecting your daily life and routine, the likelihood is you would see a doctor or specialists to help you heal. Mental health should be no different.
For some people, working with their doctor or a community mental health team is the right step for them. For others, it is seeking counselling and for other people, apps that help mindfulness, supplements, yoga and other approaches work for them. It may be you do all this and take medication too.

Mental health problems are very individual. What works for you may not work for others so it’s important you get the help you feel you need at the time you need it most.

Days off work due to mental health issues

Employers under the Health and Safety Act 1974 have a responsibility to safeguard your mental health and wellbeing as they do your physical health. How employers do that varies significantly. Some employers are sympathetic and supportive, whilst others are still ‘catching up’ with how to support staff when they need time off due to mental health issues.

Removing the stigma

In the 21st Century, you wouldn’t think that there is still a stigma around health and safety but there is, especially in the workplace. Some see stress as an excuse for someone to have a week off or depression as not being valid as a health problem. For example, there are also people being treated for depression who can and do carry on working and so the assumption is, everyone with depression can and should work.

In the promotional and PR industries, we need to be mindful of the pressure that promotional workplaces on people, stepping up to be clear that excessively tight deadlines and overbearing expectations mean nobody wins.