The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Africa has partnered with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management in support of the mental health and well-being of PR professionals. As members of the Global Alliance, IABC Africa members will benefit from the collaboration with the World Health Organization's (WHO) QualityRights.
The IABC says that the collaboration between itself and WHO QualityRights will see the launch of its most impactful mental health initiative yet.
"Communication professionals are often on the frontline with executive teams dealing with highly complex issues, from reputation management, crisis communication and stakeholder engagement," says IABC Africa Chair, Camilla Osborne. "Research indicates that communication professionals are experiencing unprecedented job-related stress levels."
Osborne refers to the CIPR / PRCA Mental Wellbeing Audit 2023 - 24 and WHO Mental Health at Work Guidelines 2022 data, showing that:
- 91% of communication and PR professionals reported experiencing poor mental health in the past year
- one-third of communication and PR practitioners have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, up from 25% in previous years
- 29% of communication and PR professionals rate their job stress levels between eight and 10 on a 10-point scale
- 60% of communication and PR practitioners have experienced mental ill-health, and
- 50% of employees feel workplace stress harms mental health.
Together with the Global Alliance, IABC Africa says that it will be providing its members with a year-long commitment to raising awareness and supporting members by offering free access to the WHO's QualityRights e-training for all members. This self-guided training programme equips communication professionals with tools to promote mental health and human rights in every setting globally.
The IABC says that the awareness campaign will begin with a free webinar on Thursday, 30 January, titled Mental Health Perspectives — Personal, Local, Global. The webinar will feature Dr Michelle Funk, Head of Policy, Law and Human Rights for WHO, and Dr Celine Cole, Consultant for Policy, Law and Human Rights at WHO.
Attendees are invited to register here at no cost to gain insights into global mental health strategies and learn how to tap into personal, professional and local action that contributes to significant change globally, adds the IABC.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, 30 January
- Time: 09:00 to 10:00 SAST / 08h00 to 09h00 WAT
- Cost: No charge
"We invite you to bring your teams and colleagues with you to the webinar to learn more about how to support yourself, and your organisation, more effectively this year," concludes Osborne. "Register for the webinar today and engage with the IABC Africa to benefit from our vibrant and supportive professional community."
For more information, visit www.iabc.co.za. You can also follow the IABC on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or Instagram.
*Image courtesy of Facebook