13 Jan 2025

'I was trying to control everything’ – overcoming burnout in PR

As part of their Mental Wellness Month PRWeek recently spoke to a UK-based comms professional who has first-hand experience of burnout about what steps he has taken to protect his mental health as a result.

Don Ferguson, Deputy Managing Director at Hope&Glory PR, shared his personal experience with burnout during Mental Wellness Month. He emphasises the importance of mental health support, especially for those who seem fine on the surface.

Ferguson describes his job as frenetic, himself as driven by ambition and success, and acknowledges the immense pressure and competitiveness in the communications industry. He highlights the "people-pleasing" nature of the work, which can lead to neglecting one's own well-being.

He likens the job to a ‘never-ending hamster wheel’, where PR practitioners are constantly problem-solving. Ferguson believes that while you can't always control the problems, you can manage your reactions through therapy, coaching, and other skills.

If you’re a PRII member and relate to Ferguson's experiences, remember support is available through the PRII MAP, accessible via MyPRII, it’s confidential and a free membership benefit

For the full article, click here.