Prioritizing Mental Health to Succeed in the Workplace

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s a timely reminder that mental well-being isn’t a trend or a campaign, it’s a commitment we make to ourselves. For public relations, marketing, and communications professionals, where the pace is fast, the demands are high, and the stakes often feel personal, protecting our mental health is essential.

This industry thrives on agility, creativity, and resilience. But those same qualities that help us manage campaigns, clients, crises, and culture can also lead to burnout if we don’t make room for rest and recovery. Prioritizing self-care is essential in a field that rarely powers down, giving ourselves permission to pause can feel revolutionary.

PRSA’s DEI Committee spoke to a few communications leaders who shared how they actively manage their mental health, and what practices have helped them stay grounded.

Find movement that moves you

“I’ve found that prioritizing daily movement has tremendously improved my mental health by getting me out of my head and into my body, even if just for 30-40 minutes,” says Jordan Hernandez, associate director of content marketing at Citizen Relations. “My tip would be to keep this practice fresh by taking on different workout classes, trying an exciting form of movement, or signing up for a new challenge every few months, as the brain will be forced to only think about the task at hand.”

The idea of “getting out of your head” resonates across the industry, especially in roles that require constant problem-solving and digital connectivity. Movement helps us regulate stress, spark new ideas, and get back in touch with our physical selves in a job that’s often lived behind screens.

Embrace gratitude and stillness

“For me, the most powerful way to support my mental health is by combining movement with gratitude,” shares Joelle Hernandez, director of marketing at The Local Girl Media Group. “Whether it’s listening to uplifting music during a walk outdoors or taking a quiet moment after a tough workout to be present and thank my body for all it can do, this practice helps me stay grounded and connected.”

This connection between body, mind, and spirit can be easily overlooked in a high-performing industry that celebrates doing over being. But for many, it’s those quiet, intentional moments of gratitude that provide clarity, peace, and perspective.

Unplug and recharge

“Travel is the ultimate remedy for maintaining my mental health and avoiding burnout,” says Carly Rogers, an associate at Sloane & Company. “But even when I cannot leave the city, making the time to unplug from work, connect with friends and do fun things I enjoy helps me return feeling fulfilled and recharged.”

While travel may not always be possible, the act of unplugging, even for an hour or an afternoon, offers mental space to recalibrate. Whether through conversation, culture, or comedy, it’s the joy of being present that resets our creative batteries.

Create a decompression ritual

After a long day of client and team meetings, you may find yourself feeling mentally drained and in need of a decompression ritual. Yesenia Reinoso, founder and principal of Y Communicate, reminds us that recovery is a necessary part of the process.

“A tip for communications professionals during Mental Health Awareness Month is to create a ‘decompression ritual’ after being in crisis mode,” she says. “After any intense situation, you should set aside some time in your schedule to help you decompress. This can involve walking, journaling, reading, or whatever you prefer. Reset your system and psyche so you don’t carry burnout into the next task.”

By building decompression into our workflow, we treat our well-being with the same urgency as a media pitch or client deadline.

Let’s lead with humanity

As Mental Health Awareness Month winds down, let’s resist the urge to pack this message away until next May.

“Prioritizing mental health isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s the foundation of long-term leadership. When we model balance, boundaries, and emotional resilience, we give others permission to do the same,” says Sabrina Browne, co-chair of the PRSA DEI Committee. “As communicators, we’re constantly pouring into others such as our clients, teams, campaigns. Yet, we can’t lead effectively if we’re running on empty. Making space for mental well-being is how we sustain purpose and performance.”

Our industry is at its best when its people are at their best emotionally, physically, and mentally. Let’s make the space. Let’s start the conversation. And most importantly, let’s keep it going.

Illustration credit: Pixel-Shot

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