Lockdown may be over, but advertising’s mental health crisis is mounting. As employees try to put the pressures of the pandemic behind them, new challenges such as the rising cost of living, adapting to new ways of working and securing new business in a time of economic unrest are negatively impacting the mental health of adlanders.

Recent research from wellbeing charity for the advertising and media industry, NABS, revealed a huge 128% rise in contact for help with mental health since last year.  Now more than a quarter (28%) of all contact to the charity is mental health-related and 66% of all emotional support calls.

The total number of calls to NABS’ Advice Line has increased by 20% this year as people reach out for urgent and impartial support. While emotional support remains the top overall reason for people contacting NABS, accounting for 41% of all calls, financial support requests are the second most popular reason for contact, reflective of concerns around the cost of living crisis and inflation.

The rise of conflict in the workplace

The research, which was undertaken during the first half of this year, has unveiled a new third reason that has disrupted NABS’ usage trends. While redundancy usually makes the top three reasons for contact, this has now been replaced by the rise of conflict in the workplace. 

Calls relating to conflict in the workplace now account for more than 1 in 10 calls. These issues include bullying and harassment in the workplace and its notable appearance demonstrates some of the challenges people are facing returning to the office, taking on a hybrid approach or meeting colleagues face to face for the first time.

Reflecting upon these findings Sue Todd, CEO, NABS, says “We all need to take note of the rising mental health challenges across the sector, and particularly this suggestion that conflict in the workplace is rising. Pressure and change are often catalysts for a more challenging workplace environment and we do have some headwinds that could create a perfect storm for individuals and organisations right now. Changing or mismatched expectations around ways of working; significant movement and recruitment of people into new roles and growing financial pressures at an organisational and personal level make for a heady combination.”   

As people search for more practical advice and support, NABS’ therapy service is now taking the lead as most popular over its grants service. Eleven people a month are now being referred to specialist and tailored therapy by NABS’ expert support advisors, where they can benefit from a minimum of seven free sessions to support them through a wide range of challenges.   

The top three themes to emerge from these sessions so far this year are career direction, career crossroads and confidence. More and more people are also raising mental health concerns in their coaching sessions mirroring the increase in calls to NABS support line. 

Looking to the next year the charity urges the industry to monitor work-life balance challenges team members may face and consider the tension between younger workers wanting to socialise more and the number of teams working from home, making it difficult for people to mix.

For more advice and support from NABS please click here