The Public Relations and Communications Association MENA, the regional arm of the global PR and Communications Association, has officially launched its 2024 Mental Health Report in collaboration with its longest-standing partner, YouGov, a market research company. The report provides vital insights into the mental health challenges and progress made by the public relations industry in the Middle East and North Africa.
Led by John Rinehart, Chair of the Mental Health Steering Committee and Board Member of the Public Relations and Communications Association, the report highlights the growing focus on mental wellbeing in the industry. The key findings were revealed last week at the 2024 Public Relations and Communications Association World Congress in Dubai.
The most important results reached include:
96% of survey respondents prioritise mental health, with 80% rating it as ‘very important’ and 16% as ‘somewhat important’, indicating the critical role of mental health in the PR industry in the Middle East and North Africa.
Participants cited a number of causes of stress in the workplace, including long working hours (35%), high workloads (31%), and poor work-life balance (29%), while only 7% reported not experiencing any stress, indicating that mental health challenges are widespread.
41% of participants “sometimes” set aside time to relax, indicating ongoing difficulties in achieving a work-life balance.
Smoking rates remain high, with only 49% of participants reporting that they “never” smoke, meaning that the largest proportion are smokers.
Awareness of mental health is growing, with the percentage of “well informed” rising from 61% in 2021 to 66% in 2024.
49% of respondents said they trust their coworkers with mental health issues, highlighting the importance of peer support. In contrast, 25% seek help from their supervisors or HR team, while 21% consult professional counselors.
30% of companies offer flexible working, 32% offer opportunities to participate in wellbeing activities, and 29% offer mental health insurance. However, 15% of companies do not offer any form of support, suggesting that there is room for further additions in the sector.
“This report reaffirms our commitment to stimulating meaningful conversations about mental health in the workplace. It serves as a reminder to all organisations and companies that progress is not only achieved through awareness campaigns but also through concrete steps on the ground,” commented Konrad Egbert, President of the Public Relations and Communications Association MENA.
“Our findings reveal encouraging progress, but also areas that require urgent attention,” added John Reinhart. “We hope this report will serve as a catalyst for positive change across the industry.”