Chris Owen on mental health & addiction in the PR industry (Ep. 79)

M&C Saatchi PR director Chris Own joins the Echo Chamber to relate how addiction and mental ill health almost derailed his career. Owen and Arun Sudhaman discuss how the PR industry is addressing findings that more than half of the UK's PR and communications practitioners have suffered from mental ill health, while the vast majority of industry employers do not have a formal mental health policy. In a candid conversation, Owen explores such areas as the always-on agency culture, the pervasive influence of alcohol, and the need to improve training and processes. For anyone requiring further guidance on any of these issues, Owen and the PRCA have helped to compile the following resources: NABS - championing mental health in the advertising and media industries Business in the Community mental health toolkit Mind, the mental health charity Mental Health Foundation Action on Addiction