The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace” – and I am HERE FOR IT! 

Statistics continue to emerge from various sectors that we work closely with that show in the post-pandemic world, we are struggling.  

I’ve previously written about the mental health picture in the PR and communications industry here. I also came across stats from the tech industry globally that 42% of IT professionals are considering quitting their organisation because of burnout, and that 62% feel emotionally and physically drained. 

My mental health experience 

I’m no stranger to mental ill-health. As a teenager at college, I had glandular fever and a year later following A-level burnout, I was diagnosed with depression.  

I went off to university in Bournemouth on some heavy-duty anti-depressants and it very much impacted my first term at university. I remember feeling ever thankful that I had chosen a university near the sea and with access to green and blue spaces.  

I tried to fiercely guard my mental health with good sleep habits and routines, but I remember it being a bleak time as you try to “adult”, navigate a new home and friends as well as study. 

During graduation, I found out that my oldest and closest childhood friend had died. She had been unwell for some time, following a heart transplant she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, but her family were trying to protect my graduation experience and I found out by accident.  

The grief was huge and it led back to another round of CBT and anti-depressants, and ultimately led to me turning down an opportunity to work in newspaper journalism in London to stay at home in Cornwall with my family to heal. 

Since then, I have worked in the fast-paced environment of newsrooms and agencies and it’s something of a heady mix for PR and marketing pros to manage all their spinning plates.  

I’ve run freelance practices (twice), run businesses/agencies (twice), given birth twice, divorced and now on my second marriage! Chances are, we’ve all been there for the major highs and major lows – it’s all part of “adulting” and clinging desperately to the lower rungs of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. 

How I manage my mental health: 

So here’s my personal tips on how I look after my brain – crucial in consultancy where people are paying you a LOT of money for your thoughts. 

Prioritise sleep

It’s not unusual for me to be tucked up in bed before my tween and teen daughters these days.  

I try to step away from messaging platforms by 9pm and calm down the chat from this time. I am not as disciplined as my friend Kat Thorne, aka The Morning Gamechanger, who recommends “Give Your Phone a Home” ie, not in the bedroom. I am too attached to my Audible account to completely give up my phone at night but I’d like to try it. 

Move 

I’ve been on a habit track since July where I try to get out and nail at least 3000 steps before I get to my desk, plus prioritise a protein-filled breakfast. Gone are the day where I jump around doing HIIT (high intensity interval training) – I prefer to prioritise steady, mindful movement. 

Share the load

I’ve been something of a lone ranger in recent years. It’s how I healed from my divorce and subsequent rebuilding of my life – I kept my head down and plodded on. But I’ve now realised how essential it is to share the pressure. This is as simple as turning to my husband the other day and explaining that I was experiencing low mood. He responded by bringing me sunflowers and picking up some of the domestic mental load tasks.  

We also share every morning during Stand Up – what’s blocking us and how can we ask for help? 

Prioritise delivering value 

I try not to focus on time spent at a desk, but rather on progress made against activities that deliver value. What small actions can “nudge the needle” and make a difference? For me, that’s confirming and winning new work, chasing down cashflow and building content of value. 

Create connection

This is the first point in the NHS’s 5 steps to mental wellbeing – create opportunities to connect with people – friends, family, colleagues. I appreciate that if you are feeling low, this can feel like the last thing you want to do (my daughter talks about her social battery being run out). But I definitely find an opportunity to re-connect really helps lift my mood. 

Practice gratitude 

If the world seems to be conspiring against you and things feel hopeless, this is the first technique I employ. Grab the back of an envelope, a post it note or just the notes app in your phone and write down at least three things you are grateful for… And keep going if you get into flow. 

We all know how tough it can be to balance work, life, and mental health. That’s why we’ve created our Agility for PRoductivity course – to help you stay organised, reduce stress, and find a better flow in your day. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just want to regain some balance, we’re here to support you! 

Want to feel more in control and less stressed? Sign up for our Agility for PRoductivity course today.