On any given day, public relations practitioners face an overload of deadlines and time pressures. There are endless amounts of tasks that, from the outside looking in, one person cannot reasonably handle alone. Rising to the challenge, communicators tackle these responsibilities with apparent ease, translating passion into results.
Accomplishments aside, one in five Canadian public relations professionals have sought counselling as a result of their work life. Our nation’s PR community is stressed and overworked. Yet, for some reason, even as communicators — who analyze and address issues for a living — the communication surrounding mental wellness in the PR field is lacking.
In 2017, The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) conducted a survey on the mental health of public relations practitioners in Canada. The results of this survey, while quite alarming, are not so surprising when you consider the nature of the profession. According to the results, 33.5 per cent of Canadian public relations practitioners surveyed suffer with or have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Compare this to the average of Canada’s overall population, 20 per cent, and a dilemma becomes evident.
Communicators work under the assumption that they are never “turned off.” There is an expectation for a continuous conversation between an organization and its publics. At any hour, not only are consumers asking questions online, but news is travelling. This places an immense amount of pressure on an organization to maintain both effective online presence and media monitoring, with the pressure falling directly on the PR practitioner.
In the same CPRS study, 39.7 per cent of respondents said that they felt as if the community is not accepting towards people living with a mental illness. Some explained that within the high-stakes environment of PR, mental health struggles have become the equivalent of “performance issues.” Many practitioners do not speak up in fear that they will lose credibility and be deemed unable to keep up with the profession demands. As one participant said, “for our profession, mental illness is a deep secret. If I can’t project my personal brand, how can I project anyone else’s?”
Addressing the stigma
Creating a supportive conversation does not require an award-winning campaign, a stellar public service announcement, or a strategic press release. The point in the matter is this; the PR community has to address that its practitioners are struggling at a concerning rate.
Education
Up-and-coming public relations practitioners must be taught the difference between strong work ethic and mental exhaustion. They need to be aware of the potential challenges they will face in the field due to strenuous projects and rigid deadlines — and, how to prevent becoming overwhelmed by them. Aside from those new to the field, all practitioners should receive instruction on healthy coping strategies to deal with stress.
Awareness
Relating to education, managers in the field must be aware of how to address mental health concerns in the workplace. They should have the knowledge and the willingness to recognize the signs that a practitioner is struggling. Some of these signs include taking long periods off of work due to sickness, appearing disinterested, and having poor work performance.
Practitioners, themselves, should also be aware of any potential signs of mental distress that they experience, including dreading going to work or feeling defeated when they return home. Acknowledging these issues and getting help prevents stress from accumulating into something much more severe.
Acceptance
When members of the PR community openly communicate about mental health, there is a higher likelihood that mental health issues will become more acceptable in the field. Sharing personal experiences will help others do the same. The key is to talk, but also to listen.
Public relations practitioners must be encouraged to share their struggles, knowing that their concerns will be validated and supported. It is time to create a positive work environment in the field of public relations — one that applauds and de-stigmatizes the dialogue surround mental health.
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Sarah Greening – Editor
Every semester, hundreds of students across Canada are faced with the challenge of applying for a co-op position. Co-ops provide the opportunity to gain professional work experience and apply your skills outside the classroom. You are also able to experience working in different sectors: private, non-profit or government. However, deciding where you want to work may be difficult.
The Government of Canada is one of the largest, single employers in Canada, hiring over 11,000 students in 2016. If you are thinking about applying for a co-op with the federal government, here are some things you should consider:
Limitless options – There are more than 60 government departments and agencies. This means you may be able to work in a different areas that interest you. You could find yourself working for any government branch like the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to the Department of National Defence.
Location – Working for the Government of Canada means you have the flexibility to work almost anywhere in the country. With positions posted nationwide, this may be the perfect opportunity to do travel and do a co-op outside of your comfort zone.
Networking – Government departments and agencies can be huge! The federal government employs over 250,000 people and there are always opportunities to collaborate within your organization and between departments. You can network while building connections and see what other departments do. And, not always, but you may even get to meet the Minister!
Future Opportunities – Being hired as a student may be helpful when finding a job after graduation. Once you have a government job, there are always possibilities of advancing your career by moving up in your organization and transferring to other departments.
Making a difference – The work you do with the Government of Canada impacts all Canadians. You are also exposed to national and even international issues and events.
When I applied for my first co-ops, people warned me of the cons of working in government. They told me stories of the extensive approval processes and a lack of creativity. However, my government co-ops were my favourites. I worked on major projects and gained a variety of valuable skills.
There are many ways to be creative in government. Being a student means bringing fresh ideas and a unique perspective to your organization. My supervisors always encouraged me to be innovative and find new ways our department could be more efficient.
If you are thinking of completing one of your co-ops with the federal government – apply! Co-op is the time to try new things and experience work in different sectors and who knows, the public sector could be the place for you.
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Nicole Janes – Editor