PRCA MENA, the regional arm of the world’s largest PR association, has officially launched the 'PRCA Mena Mental Health Report 2024' in collaboration with its long-standing partner, YouGov.
Developed under the guidance of John Rynehart, Chair of the PRCA MENA Mental Health Steering Committee and board member, the report highlights the industry’s increasing focus on mental well-being.
Conrad Egbert, Head of PRCA MENA, commented: “This report underscores our commitment to driving meaningful conversations around mental health in the workplace. It is a reminder to organizations that progress is not just about awareness but also action.”
It also provides vital insights into the mental health challenges and progress within the MENA PR industry. The key findings were unveiled by John Rynehart last week at the PRCA MENA Annual Conference 2024 in Dubai.
Key Findings:
- 96% of respondents prioritize mental health, with 80% rating it as "very important" and 16% as "somewhat important," highlighting its critical role in the MENA PR industry.
- Long hours (35%), high workloads (31%), and poor work-life balance (29%) were identified as the top workplace stressors, with only 7% reporting no stress, emphasizing widespread mental health challenges.
- 41% "sometimes" make time to relax, pointing to ongoing struggles with work-life balance.
- Smoking remains notable, with 49% of respondents saying they "never" smoke, leaving a significant portion who do.
- Mental health awareness is rising, with 66% feeling "very well-informed" in 2024, up from 61% in 2021.
- 49% of respondents confide in co-workers about mental health issues, underscoring the importance of peer support, while 25% reach out to supervisors or HR, and 21% consult mentors.
- 30% of companies offer flexible work, 32% provide wellness activities, and 29% include mental health insurance, but 15% provide no support, showing room for improvement.
John Rynehart noted: “The findings reveal both encouraging progress and areas that need urgent attention. We hope this report serves as a catalyst for further positive change in the industry.”
PRCA MENA is the regional arm of the world's largest public relations and communications association (PRCA). It was established in 2016 with the aim of raising standards in PR and communications.
Representing more than 35,000 PR professionals in 82 countries worldwide, the PR authority is a global advocate for excellence in public relations, public affairs and communications.
The PRCA’s teams across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific work with industry professionals around the world to co-ordinate operations across six continents.
