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.

• Take the 2026 Mental Health Wellbeing Survey

The research – conducted by Opinium – revealed that on average, 91% reported poor mental health in the last 12 months. Meanwhile, the proportion of PR professionals that have been diagnosed with a mental health condition has risen from one in four (25%) to a third (33%).

The number of PR professionals who find their jobs stressful has stayed consistent year after year. In fact, three out of ten (29%) continue to rate their stress levels within the range of 8-10 (with 10 being extremely stressful). This figure has remained stable since it first rose from 26% in 2021.

As in past years, PR professionals continue to have a higher risk of poor mental health than the general UK workforce. In the last year, 63% of UK workers report having poor mental health.

Before the pandemic around 70% of UK PR professionals worked from an office all the time. This is now down to 9%. Professionals largely agree that working from home has positive aspects, with 81% appreciating a better work-life balance and 78% finding the lack of commute good for mental health.

Other key findings:

• An average wellbeing score of 45.3, indicating a slight decrease from the previous year.
• 60% of respondents have told someone at work that they have struggled with their mental wellbeing, up from 51% last year.
• 59% said that having too much work to do is the biggest barrier for taking time off to deal with mental health.
• 58% cited an overwhelming workload as a key source of workplace stress.

• Download the 2023/24 Workplace Mental Wellbeing Audit to find out more

Episode 15 - The future of PR and comms - is the fourth and final instalment in the Engage series dedicated to celebrating the CIPR’s 75th anniversary. Recorded at the Institute’s Horizon event, the podcast features a range of interviews with Horizon speakers and attendees about their sessions and experiences to glean their insights from the event.

Hosted by Henry Heming, the episode features talks on key topics such as diversity and inclusion in PR, preventing burnout, the changing media landscape, how AI can transform PR strategies, the need to reframe climate change with more hopeful narratives, and much more.

Joining Henry is;

• Fatima Banglawala, Comms and Public Affairs Manager, MedTech UK and Ireland, Johnson and Johnson, summarises some of the key takeaways from Jay Richards, Co-founder at Imagen’s opening keynote on Gen Z.
• Grace Fogarty, Founder of Grace Fogarty Training, shares her simple, memorable tools for feeling more confident when networking and quickly developing meaningful connections.
• Sheeraz Gulsher, Co-founder at People Like Us, discusses creative campaigns and practical tips on making PR more inclusive.
• Subira Jones, also known as The Corporate Hippie, explains the difference between feeling rundown and being burned out, taking listeners from powerless to empowered, and demonstrating how PR and comms practitioners can fireproof their (and their colleague's) career.
• Katie King, CEO at AI in Business, addresses the opportunities, challenges and ethical questions which are raised by increased integration of AI tools and platforms in PR workflows, project management and content creation.
• Trudy Lewis, Founder at Colinear, shares her favourite takeaways from the conference’s morning sessions.
• Rachel Miller, Founder of All Things IC, summarises her favourite session from the conference.
• Diana Verde Nieto, Co-founder of Positive Luxury, discusses how we can move towards being positively good when it comes to sustainability through the ‘reimagining model’.
• Alan Oram, Director at Alive with Ideas, shares his reaction to Mark Shayler’s session.
• Advita Patel, 2025 CIPR President, shares her final thoughts from the conference.
• Alex Partridge, Founder of UNILAD and LADBible shares how the media landscape is changing, what the future holds for media, and why adaptability is your greatest strength.
• Son Pham, Senior Campaign Manager at Manifest, captures the atmosphere at the conference and his personal highlight.
• Mark Shayler, Owner at Ape, makes the case for the role of innovative and disruptive thinking in challenging the status quo and bringing about sustainable societal change.

• Listen to the Engage podcast on Apple, Google and Spotify
• Find out more about the CIPR's Engage podcast

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.

• Complete the survey.

The programme is fully CPD-accredited and includes a 13-week programme with free weekly 45-minute online sessions by trained specialists and senior leader panel discussions around mental health.

It was developed in response to 2022's Workplace Mental Wellbeing Audit revealing that more than 90% of PR professionals experienced poor mental health, above the average of 69% for workers across all other professional sectors in the UK. The research found that of those PR professionals experiencing poor mental health in the past year, less than a quarter (22%) took time off work to rest and recover versus 41% for workers in all other professional sectors. Nearly 60% of PR practitioners cited overwhelming workload as a key source of workplace stress.

The sessions are constructed around the issues highlighted by the mental health audit and focus on critical connection; team mental health safety; resilience and confidence; solutions-focused thinking; mindfulness and me; and mental health leadership.

Information on the programme 

Sessions will be held live on fox&cat’s LinkedIn page. All sessions will be recorded and will be made available alongside downloadable resources and top tips from the campaign webpage. 

The 13-week CDP-accredited programme has sessions every Wednesday at 12.15 from 22 February through to 17 May. Full session details can be found here: www.foxandcat.online/underthetree  

Those who take advantage of these free sessions will receive: 

• education from eleven 45-minute drop-in sessions to introduce the skills and techniques needed to effectively manage pressure from fox&cat’s extended network of expert trainers 
• two panel discussions aimed at senior leaders between fox&cat, CIPR, PRCA and HCA around the Mental Wellbeing in PR research findings, the importance of training and a look towards the future of mental health in communications

The research – conducted by Opinium – revealed one in five (22%) PR practitioners who experienced poor mental health had taken time off from work in the last year. The national average across all professional industries is 41%.

This year’s Mental Health in PR survey also explored the impact of the working environment on employee wellbeing. Although employees are generally satisfied with their offices, satisfaction levels were at the lowest when it comes to areas to eat away from the desk (51%), indoor decor (50%), and storage (41%).

The data also shows that PR pros are adjusting to new working patterns. Nearly eight in ten (76%) practitioners said that working from home has created a better work-life balance. Just under three quarters (73%) said not having to commute has improved their mental health, up from 66% last year.

Encouragingly, this year has seen a small but consistent improvement in mental wellbeing scores with a total of 45.5 (up from 45.1 in 2021, and back to the 2019-levels).

Key survey findings:

• 91% of those in PR have experienced poor mental health at some point in the past year, compared to 90% in 2021.
• 58% said an overwhelming workload was a key source of workplace stress, down from 67% last year.
• 51% have told someone at work that they have struggled with their mental wellbeing.
• 30% have found their job stressful, slightly up from 26% last year.
• 81% support a mixed approach of office and home working.

• Download the 2022 Workplace Mental Wellbeing Audit to find out more
• Watch the joint ‘Combatting quiet-quitting’ mental health event with the CIPR, PRCA, Edelman and Opinium

• Complete the survey
• Register to take part in the campaign

The CIPR and PRCA would like to thank Fleishman Hillard for their creative support on the campaign.

The research – conducted by Opinium – found nine in ten (90%) PR professionals have struggled with their mental wellbeing to an extent over the past 12 months, compared to 65% of UK workers.

PR professionals are also less likely to take time off from work for mental wellbeing reasons than other UK workers; one in four PR practitioners took leave for mental health, compared to one in three UK workers.

Younger professionals aged 25-34 were noticeably more likely to have taken time off due to their mental wellbeing (32%) compared with those aged 35-49 (22%). Workload was cited as the main barrier to taking time off by more than half of respondents.

Encouragingly, PR professionals increasingly feel their workplace takes the mental health of their employees seriously. 60% of those experiencing mental health issues have told someone at work.

Key findings from the survey reveal:

• 60% of those experiencing mental health issues have told someone at work about it 
• 54% of those who didn’t take time off work for their mental health cited the heavy workload as the top reason for not doing so 
• 61% of those taking time off due to mental health problems have felt guilty for doing so 
• 60% felt considerable improvements in their mental wellbeing after having taken time off 
• 74% of those speaking up at work about their mental health issue found their workplace to be understanding and supportive 
• 67% said an overwhelming workload was a key source of workplace stress 
• 95% of PR professionals believe their workplace has a role to play in looking after the mental wellbeing of employees

The research forms part of the CIPR and PRCA’s collaborative efforts to inspire positive action on mental health across the industry. The industry bodies launched a pan-industry ‘Heard Mentality’ campaign earlier this year to urge leaders to heed the concerns of colleagues. More than 250 teams across from across the industry took part in a collective Heard Mentality conversation last month.

• Download the latest research online.

UPDATE

The original headline for this release read 'PR PROFESSIONALS 25% MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM POOR MENTAL HEALTH COMPARED TO OTHER UK WORKERS'. This was incorrect and should have referred to percentage points.

Launched ahead of Global Listening Day, the pan-industry 'Heard Mentality' campaign urges leaders to hear the concerns of colleagues and encourages team leaders to hold constructive talks with their team members or peers on mental health. 

The professional bodies are challenging the entire PR workforce- including in-house, agency, and independent practitioners - to host conversations in the week commencing 13th September. The CIPR and PRCA will issue conversation starter packs to individuals and organisations hosting discussions.

According to research conducted jointly by the CIPR and PRCA, due out later this year, 90% of PR professionals reported poor mental health in the last 12 months. Both bodies have committed to working together on a programme of activity and a Heard Mentality event will be organised for professionals without access to teams or peers. 

How you can ’Join the Heard’

1. Organise - or encourage your employer to organise - a face-to-face or online ‘Heard Mentality’ conversation during the week commencing 13th September
2. Complete this form to register to receive a conversation starter pack here and let us know you are planning to support the campaign
3. Share your support on social media by sharing this tweet
4. Prepare for the discussion by considering; 

• how your colleagues are doing 
• what practical changes can be made in the workplace to support your mental health 
• your own personal experience of mental health 

The #HeardMentalityPR campaign marks the start of a collaboration between the CIPR and PRCA on mental health. Additionally, both bodies are actively supporting an industry-wide initiative to establish a mental health charter, supported by PRWeek. Find more mental health resources from both bodies online;

• CIPR
• PRCA

Find out more information and support the campaign by completing this form.

The CIPR and PRCA would like to thank the team at FleishmanHillard for their time, energy and creative input on the campaign.

Mandy highlights two key events; our first conference on the role of PR practitioners in tackling climate change and our second lobbying event with Dame Angela Eagle MP.

April highlights:

• President Mandy Pearse was elected to the 2021 Global Alliance Board of Directors. More here.
• We joined forces with the PRCA and ICCO in launching a new survey designed to address the mental health challenges within PR. More here.
• Episode three of our quarterly ‘Engage’ podcast is live with a focus on hybrid working. Read more.
• We published our 2020 Annual Report and financial reports. Read more.

Keep an eye out for:

• Our second Making the Most of Membership event on Wednesday 9 June. Whether you’re a new member or have been with us with some time, join us for a free event to highlight how you can maximise the resources and benefits on offer. Sign up.

The professional bodies have launched a new survey – in partnership with Opinium – to gather insight on the mental wellbeing of PR professionals. Opinium, pro-bono, and in support of the PR Industry, will make use of their proprietary Workplace Mental Wellbeing Framework. The organisations have agreed to use the results to inform a joint programme of activity over the summer aimed at improving the mental wellbeing of PR professionals.

All PR and communications professionals are strongly urged to complete the survey - the results are expected to deliver the most comprehensive insight into the issue yet.

Complete the survey here.

‘Mental Wellbeing at Work’ and ‘Building Resilience’ will both run in November online and face-to-face respectively and have been developed in consultation with specialist mental health trainers. They are designed to help leaders have a positive impact on mental wellbeing in the workplace, and for those who would benefit from building their own resilience or the resilience of their staff. 

The decision to develop these courses follows research from the CIPR Health Group highlighting 8 in 10 practitioners have reported to feeling a mental health impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and CIPR’s 2019 State of the Profession survey which reported one-in-five respondents having a diagnosed mental health condition and around a quarter (23%) of saying they took sickness absence from work on the grounds of stress, anxiety or depression.

CIPR members have free access to the iprovision Mental Health Hotline providing instant access to accredited counsellors as well as support for those with personal, legal and financial difficulties. 

The CIPR’s Health Group COVID-19 survey explores the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on communications professionals and included questions around the value of communications, the impact of COVID-19 on individuals and on teams, pandemic preparedness and resources, and internal communications.

The survey finds:

• Over half of respondents reported their organisation placed ‘a lot’ of value on communications during the emergency
• 82% of respondents answered ‘yes’ to feeling a mental health impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
• Nearly 50% had worked longer hours with one-third of practitioners working an extra 1-2 hours per day and over 15% working five or more extra hours a day
• 28% had not taken any annual leave
• Less than a quarter had accessed mental health support in the last six months

The issue of practitioner’s mental health was highlighted as an issue in the CIPR ‘State of the Profession’ survey 2019, where more than a fifth (21%) of respondents said they had a diagnosed mental health condition and around a quarter (23%) of practitioners saying they took sickness absence from work on the grounds of stress, anxiety or depression.

CIPR members have free access to the iprovision Mental Health Hotline providing members instant access to accredited counsellors as well as support for those with personal, legal and financial difficulties.

• Download the full survey results and other CIPR mental health resources including 'Understanding Mental Health and Wellbeing' and 'Managing Your Mental Health at a Time of Crisis' here.

The move follows research from CIPR’s 2019 State of the Profession report which revealed the link between the nature of PR work and poor mental health amongst practitioners. The report showed that 21% have had or live with a diagnosed mental health condition whilst almost a quarter (23%) of respondents who discussed concerns about their mental health with a manager said that nothing happened as a result of those conversations.

The 24/7, 365 days a year hotline is run by Health Assured, the UK and Ireland’s largest independent employee assistance programme (EAP) provider, and provides CIPR members with access to a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) trained and accredited counsellor.

Members can access the Hotline via the CIPR Plus page online (login required).

The iprovision Mental Health Hotline also provides CIPR members with access to the Health Assured e-Hub and smartphone app for personalised wellbeing content and its resources including videos, webinars, mini health checks and health coaching.

The service is being financed by iprovision. For more information about its work, and to make a donation, visit its page online.

For more information on CIPR’s Mental Health work visit this page.

Contact the Hotline via the CIPR Plus page.

The resources follow research earlier this year, revealing the link between the nature of PR work and poor mental health amongst practitioners. The results from State of the Profession show that 21% have or do live with a diagnosed mental health condition whilst almost a quarter (23%) of respondents who discussed concerns about their mental health with a manager said that nothing happened as a result of those conversations.

• Download the Skills Guide here.
• View the webinar here (CIPR member only)
• Find out more about CIPR’s work on mental health.

The CIPR has launched a campaign to encourage PR professionals to switch off and focus on their mental wellbeing.

The call to action features prominently in the latest edition of Influence Magazine, which includes three articles on the importance of mental health. 

The campaign calls on PR professionals to take a 10 minute break to focus solely on their wellbeing. It forms part of a broader set of CIPR initiatives planned for Mental Health Awareness Week. 

Alongside the campaign, the CIPR has published a breathing exercise video and will host a tweet chat on mental health in PR on Wednesday 15 May at 12:30pm.

Let us know how you're taking time out using #InfluenceTakes10

• Find out more about the #CIPRchat on mental health
• Watch our breathing exercise video
• Find out more about the CIPR's work on mental health

Working from home means lunch outside and 10 minutes reading the latest @InfluencePRMag
Or maybe I’ll just use my 10 minutes to listen to the birds singing instead. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #InfluenceTakes10 pic.twitter.com/ybjCnU1qv4

— Josephine Graham (@iojosy) May 13, 2019

Sunday morning, cup of tea, #peggythepoodle, the birds tweeting, fresh air and my new edition of @InfluencePRMag #influencetakes10 pic.twitter.com/bxq6ayFGtA

— Aimee Haggas (@aimeetweeting) May 12, 2019

One of the best bits of advice in this issue of @InfluencePRMag for #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek. What will you do with your 10 mins? I’m #walkingwithfriends #mindfulness #influencetakes10 pic.twitter.com/dZqVMVSf8V

— Jo Twiselton (@jotwis) May 13, 2019

Worryingly, the report revealed a significant number of line-managers fail to address mental health concerns amongst employees. Almost a quarter (23%) of respondents who discussed concerns about their mental health with a manager said that nothing happened as a result of those conversations.

Joining forces with Zoe Sinclair of Employees Matter, an employee engagement specialist, this team has created a pioneering event to tackle mental health issues in the workplace called This Can Happen (TCH). : a conference aiming to bring workable strategies and solutions to businesses for tackling mental health throughout their organisation – from the post-room to the boardroom.

Jonny and Neil visit companies across the world to talk about mental health issues, how to spot the signs and how to help. In aid of a mental health charity Heads Together, the pair ran the London Marathon raising almost £50,000. The story of their journey has also been made into an award-winning TV documentary, The Stranger on the Bridge, which aired on Channel 4 in 2015.

This Can Happen’s agenda is brimming with unique and fascinating content, and sessions will be hosted by international thought leaders. As a solutions-led conference, every speaker will give delegates actionable ideas to take back to work and implement strategically.

Speakers, facilitators and panellists include:

• Tina Daheley, Journalist and Presenter at the BBC
• Dr. Ellie Canon, Author and Broadcaster
• Vinay Kapoor, Americas Head of Diversity & Inclusion at BNP Paribas
• Dawn Moore, HR Director at Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure
• Glenn Dunn, Partner at Forsters
• Shalah Akhtar, Head of PwC Muslim Network at PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Karl Simons, Head of Health, Safety, Security, and Wellbeing at Thames Water
• Monika Misra, Medical Director Employee Health and Wellbeing at GlaxoSmithKline
• Alison Garbutt, Head of Strategic Projects at WHSmith

CIPR members can save 15% on the ticket price by quoting: TCH15CIPR.

Register here. 

• Given the reported increase in mental health conditions among public relations professionals, is PR becoming more stressful or are we more comfortable talking about the issue?
• What practical action can line managers take to support the mental wellbeing of employees?
• How can PR professionals help remove the stigma associated with mental health?
• What advice can you share for those currently living with a mental health condition?

Colin, who also founded Mental Health in Business, explained that 'mental difference' is an opportunity and should be embraced by businesses. "Those living with mental health issues can bring a new and alternative approach to problem solving," he added.

Alison spoke of unprecedented societal interest in mental health and shared practical tips on managing employees with mental health issues."Be human, be supportive, arrange regular catch-ups and be flexible. Allowing employees to avoid commuting during rush hours can have a big impact."

A recording of the event is available below, along with a summary of tweets from the evening.

Drawing on 20-years' of global HR experience, Founding Partner of APeopleBusiness and Mental Health in Business, Colin Minto, will deliver an upbeat appraisal of mental health, illness and difference by reflecting on his personal battle with OCD, and the benefits of living with mental illness.

Having led Resourcing and HR Systems for the world's second largest private employer, G4S, for six years, Colin will reveal practical tips and guidance for PR professionals on mental health - from both employer and employee perspectives.

The event will be jointly hosted by the CIPR's Diversity and Inclusion Forum and the Institute's benevolent fund, iprovision.

This free-to-attend event takes place from 6pm on 10 May and is open to members, as well as non-members. Pre-registration is required. Read Colin Minto's testimonials and book your place via Eventbrite.

The event will be broadcasted live via the CIPR's Facebook page.

For the last two years stress has been a major factor in the CIPR State of the Profession research. This year found almost a third (30%) of respondents describing themselves as either unhappy or extremely unhappy. In the context of 2014/15 findings, more than half (51%) of managers were ‘extremely stressed’ or ‘very stressed’ in their roles, evidencing the need for public relations to face up to the issue.

On Wednesday 18 May, the CIPR's Diversity and Inclusion Forum will host a free-to-attend Equal Access Network event focussing on workplace mental health initiatives, in support of Mental Health Awareness Week. Booking and further information is available via Eventbrite.

The CIPR benevolent fund, iprovision, will also kick off a series of wellbeing seminars on 1 June aimed at helping employees and employers manage stress in the workplace. The first event will be led by two leading business psychologists at the CIPR, Russell Square.

iprovision plan to hold a programme of similar events across the UK and will also create a best practice resource for members. Booking and further information for the wellbeing seminars is available here.

For more information on the CIPR's mental health initiatives, please email Koray Camgoz.