By Jennifer Kramer, APR, PRSA-ECD Past Chair, Advocacy Chair

Each year on October 10, the world unites around a powerful truth: mental health is essential to life, work, and community. World Mental Health Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a call to awareness, compassion and action.

At PRSA East Central District (ECD), we believe mental health is not a side conversation in the public relations profession — it is the conversation. That’s why we’ve created a mental health advocacy platform designed to equip our members with tools, resources and shared experiences that foster resilience, reduce stigma, and prioritize wellbeing in our work and lives.

This year, we’re marking World Mental Health Day with a special virtual event designed specifically for our profession.

 

Upcoming Webinar: Digital Detox — Reclaiming Your Attention and Joy

October 9, 2025 (the day before World Mental Health Day)
🕑 2:00 PM EDT | 💻 Free | 45 minutes

Our digital tools are essential and overwhelming in today’s fast-paced communications landscape. The very platforms we rely on to engage audiences are engineered to capture and often hijack our attention.

In this session, led by PR educator and mental health advocate Lisa DuBois Low, APR, we’ll explore how digital overload affects focus, creativity and emotional wellbeing — core elements of professional success. Through interactive exercises and practical guidance, participants will walk away with a personalized plan to realign their tech use with their values and goals.

This isn’t just about unplugging. It’s about reclaiming your attention, your time, and your joy.

Register now — spots are limited!

 

What Is World Mental Health Day?

Observed annually on October 10, World Mental Health Day was established by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992. It serves to:

  • Raise awareness about mental health issues globally
  • Challenge harmful stigma
  • Promote stronger mental health policies and services
  • Celebrate stories of resilience and recovery
  • Share tools and strategies for self-care and collective care

Organizations and individuals around the globe mark the occasion through events, social campaigns, and open conversations that build connection and hope.

 

Why Mental Health Matters — Especially in Communications

Working in public relations means balancing high expectations, rapid response cycles, emotionally charged issues, and an always-on digital environment. And yet, the mental health challenges facing our profession are often invisible or unspoken.

In the U.S. alone:

  • 1 in 5 adults experiences a mental illness each year
  • 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
  • Nearly 57% of those afflicted with a mental illness do not receive any form of treatment
  • Nearly 30 million people still lack access to mental health or substance use treatment

These aren’t just statistics. They’re our colleagues, students, family members, and many times, ourselves.

Barriers like cost, stigma, insurance gaps, and provider shortages continue to prevent people from receiving the care they deserve. That’s why every voice and every effort matters in this collective work.

PRSA ECD’s Commitment: Advocacy with Action

PRSA ECD launched its mental health advocacy platform to elevate mental wellbeing as a strategic priority in public relations. Our goal is simple, but powerful:

  • Normalize conversations about mental health
  • Provide meaningful resources for PR professionals
  • Share strategies that organizations can implement
  • Inspire a culture of empathy and balance
  • Help professionals set boundaries, build resilience, and thrive

From webinars and toolkits to white papers and open forums, we are committed to championing awareness and action.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

This World Mental Health Day, we invite you to pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself, your values, and your community. Every step matters, whether you attend the Digital Detox webinar, explore our Mental Health Toolkit, or check in with a colleague.

Mental health is not a luxury. It’s a foundation. Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage and thank you for being part of the journey.