The Message Must Go On: PRSA ECD Webinar Explores Mental Health, Burnout, and Showing Up Through Life’s Hard Moments
By Jennifer L. Kramer, APR, Past ECD Chair and Advocacy Committee Co-Chair
Mental health conversations in the communications profession are often long overdue.
Public relations and communications professionals are expected to remain calm under pressure, respond quickly during crises, manage organizational reputation, support leadership, and continue delivering results — often while quietly navigating difficult personal challenges behind the scenes.
That reality was at the center of PRSA East Central District’s recent Mental Health Webinar Series session, “The Message Must Go On: Showing Up at Work Through Life’s Hard Moments,” presented by licensed psychologist Dr. Janelle McNeal of True North Counseling & Development.
The webinar explored how stress, trauma, grief, burnout, and emotional overload impact workplace performance — especially in high-pressure professions like communications and public relations. Dr. McNeal shared practical strategies to help professionals recognize emotional strain, set healthy boundaries, communicate their needs, and continue functioning effectively during difficult seasons of life.
During the session, attendees discussed the growing workplace mental health crisis and the unique pressures communicators face. Research highlighted during the webinar included findings from a recent National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) poll showing that one in four employees has considered leaving a job because of its impact on their mental health. At the same time, many continue to fear stigma or professional consequences for speaking openly about what they are experiencing.
Dr. McNeal emphasized that trauma, grief, and emotional strain are far more common than many people realize. She noted that PR professionals are particularly vulnerable because they are frequently exposed to crisis situations, emotional labor, organizational pressure, and what psychologists refer to as “vicarious trauma” — carrying the emotional weight of difficult situations experienced by others.
One of the strongest themes of the discussion was that professionals are not machines.
“We have ups and downs, we have ebbs and flows, but life isn’t robotic,” Dr. McNeal shared while discussing the importance of communicating needs and seeking support during difficult periods.
The session also explored common signs of emotional overload, including difficulty concentrating, emotional exhaustion, withdrawal, irritability, sleep disruption, and burnout — symptoms that deeply resonate with the realities of communications work.
Key Takeaways and Practical Action Items
Throughout the webinar, Dr. McNeal emphasized that mental health support is not simply about awareness but about creating realistic strategies that help people continue functioning while protecting their well-being.
Some of the most practical takeaways from the session included:
Recognize the Warning Signs Early
Dr. McNeal encouraged attendees to pay attention to subtle shifts in behavior and performance, including trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, emotional numbness, irritability, exhaustion, avoidance behaviors, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms are often signs that emotional overload is already affecting daily functioning.
Permit Yourself to Pause
One of the strongest recommendations from the session was simple but often difficult for professionals to accept: take time off when needed. Dr. McNeal noted that difficult life events are not “business as usual,” and that rest can be necessary for both emotional recovery and professional sustainability.
Tell Someone What You’re Carrying
Attendees were encouraged not to suffer in silence. Dr. McNeal stressed the importance of letting at least one trusted person at work know when personal challenges are affecting day-to-day functioning. While every workplace culture is different, having support and understanding can make a meaningful difference during difficult periods.
Understand That Grief and Trauma Affect Performance
The session reinforced that grief, trauma, and chronic stress directly affect concentration, memory, creativity, energy levels, and productivity. Struggling during difficult periods does not mean someone is weak or failing professionally; it just means they are human.
Stop Treating Mental Health as Separate From Work
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the webinar was the reminder that mental wellness is deeply connected to leadership, creativity, communication, and workplace effectiveness. Supporting mental health is not separate from professional success but foundational to it.
PRSA ECD launched its Mental Health Advocacy Platform to help reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and provide practical support specifically tailored to the communications profession. This webinar series is designed to help communicators recognize that prioritizing mental wellness is not a weakness but a professional necessity.
As communicators continue to manage demanding workloads, operate in rapid-response environments, and balance personal responsibilities, conversations like these matter more than ever.
Because even when the message must go on, communicators should not have to carry the weight alone.
💻 Missed the live session? You can watch or rewatch it and share it with your team:
🎥 View the recording
📘 And don’t forget to explore the PRSA ECD Mental Health Toolkit for more tools to support well-being throughout the year.
