Public relations bodies unite globally to launch first-ever worldwide survey of the profession’s mental health and wellbeing
Public relations and communication professionals in the UK and around the world are being urged to add their voices to a landmark global survey designed to deepen understanding of mental health and wellbeing across the profession and help shape healthier workplaces for the future.
The Global Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey, open throughout October and November 2026, aims to secure at least 5,000 responses across all global regions, with the results to be released in January 2027.
The ambition is to create the first global benchmark that helps the profession better understand the mental health and wellbeing of its people, the pressures they experience at work, what supports them to thrive, and where change is most needed.
The global initiative builds on the established UK mental health and wellbeing research programme of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA UK). These have now partnered with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management to launch the survey globally for the first time.
The CIPR and PRCA’s most recent Mental Wellbeing Audit in the UK found that despite many workplaces affirming support for good mental health among their workforce, 91% of public relations professionals had experienced poor mental health in the previous 12 months. This compared with 63% of the wider UK workforce. Almost three in ten rated their job as highly stressful, while 58% identified overwhelming workload as a key source of workplace stress.
Independent research company Opinium, which conducted the original CIPR and PRCA research, has globalised the survey for this project, providing continuity from the established evidence base while scaling up worldwide.
Anyone working in public relations knows the high-pressure that comes with the role. For the first time, this survey is looking to give us a global picture of how these experiences differ or are shared across countries, cultures, sectors, workplaces and career stages. This global benchmark really matters and I encourage practitioners, wherever you are the world, to take part.
We all bring different experiences and pressures to work, and leaders have a responsibility to create environments where people feel safe to ask for help and receive the support they need.
This survey gives practitioners an opportunity to share what working in our profession is really like and what needs to change. Please take part and encourage your colleagues to do the same. Your experience matters and can help shape healthier workplaces for everyone.
We already know from years of research on previous editions of this survey that too many people in public relations experience poor mental health, significant stress and workplace pressures. Understanding this at a global level is essential, not only to deepen our insight into these challenges, but to create meaningful impact by equipping people, organisations and professional bodies with the evidence they need to take action.
A global profession needs a global understanding of mental health and wellbeing. Across countries and cultures, public relations professionals at all career stages face diverse lived experiences and cumulative workplace, social and environmental pressures. This research gives us the evidence to lead collectively, drive meaningful change and build a healthier, more sustainable profession worldwide.
- Take the 2026 Mental Health Wellbeing Survey
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners with over 11,000 members.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).