‘Burnout is not a coffee-cup slogan’ - CALM CEO on PR’s approach to mental health

Warning: this podcast contains references to suicide.
How do you create a compelling Mental Health campaign? As part of PRWeek’s Mental Wellness month, the latest podcast discusses mental health in PR - from the perspective of PR pros taking care of themselves, and the campaigns PR teams produce to help raise awareness.
This episode of Beyond the Noise features Simon Gunning, chief executive of the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - the suicide prevention charity.
Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.
Speaking to PRWeek senior reporter Evie Barrett and news editor Siobhan Holt, Gunning discusses whether comms professionals are particularly vulnerable to mental-health challenges and burnout.
The trio debate the benefits and challenges of flexible working practices.
Gunning discusses whether mental-health campaigns preach to the converted and if it’s the responsibility of businesses to address mental health in their campaigns too.
In addition, the CEO chats about working with creative and PR agencies, and the importance of strong partnerships.
He also discusses CALM’s latest work - the second phase of its ‘Missed Birthdays’ campaign, which centres on youth suicide.
For people experiencing issues raised in this podcast, the charity CALM can be contacted on 0800 585858 or via the CALM website. In addition, the NABs advice line can be reached at 0800 707 6607.