PRCA MENA Mental Health Committee has released its Mental Health Report 2025, developed in partnership with YouGov, offering a data-led assessment of mental wellbeing across the region’s PR and communications industry.
The study was based on responses from 565 professionals across 19 MENA markets, taken between 16th July and 21st August 2025.

The report found that the majority of respondents (97 per cent) consider mental health important, and 96 per cent view it as essential to quality of life.

Workplace pressures remain a significant concern, the report said. Long hours, high workloads and poor work-life balance continue to be the most cited stressors, with 85 per cent of professionals saying their workplace directly affects their mental wellbeing. Despite this, only 30 per cent feel fully supported by their employer, while more than one in five say their organisation does not communicate about mental health at all.

The report flags ongoing gaps organisations need to close:

• A disconnect between awareness and action: Most respondents recognise the need for professional help in a mental health crisis, but only 42 per cent seek it, with many relying instead on themselves, friends, or family.
• Inconsistent organisational communication: 22 per cent say their workplace never communicates about mental health, and only 20 per cent hear from senior leaders - pointing to low leadership visibility.
• Uneven implementation of support initiatives: Some employers offer flexible work (26 per cent), wellness programmes (32 per cent), or mental health insurance (27 per cent), yet 18 per cent provide no mental health support at all.

The report also highlighted the growing use of digital and AI-enabled wellbeing tools, while stressing that these should complement - not replace - human support, leadership engagement and access to professional care.

John Rynehart, Chair of the PRCA MENA Mental Health Committee, said, “Awareness is growing, but anxiety, stress and exhaustion remain widespread across the industry. This report is a clear call for organisations to embed mental wellbeing into everyday practice, not treat it as a side initiative.”

Conrad Egbert, Head of PRCA MENA, said, “The industry has made progress in recognising the importance of mental health, but this report shows a clear gap between awareness and action. The challenge now is not starting conversations, but building workplaces where support is consistent, visible and trusted.”

Real Chemistry, an AI and insights-driven healthcare communications network, has announced the appointment of four senior international leaders and expanded its regional hub presence.

Kath Harrison has been named Group President, International Growth, based in Dubai. She leads international growth and delivery of end-to-end capabilities across global markets.

Kath also serves as General Manager of the Dubai office, to strengthen Real Chemistry’s presence in the Middle East and its ability to support clients in Asia Pacific and beyond. Most recently, Kath was President, International Markets at GCI Health, where she helped lead the company’s expansion across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Brandon Pletsch has been appointed President, Europe, based in Germany. Louise Clark takes on the role of President, Integrated Communications, Global, and Eleanor Read the role of President, Integrated Communications, Europe - both based in the UK.

The company’s strategy includes further strengthening its presence across its key international markets, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America, through a combination of regional hubs and an expanded affiliate network. Initial investments include new hub offices in Munich, Zurich and Dubai, with additional hub enhancements and in-market team expansion planned later this year.
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“Healthcare companies today are operating in a far more complex, multi-market environment, and they need partners who can think and act globally while delivering locally,” said Suzanne Jacobs, Head of International Markets & Group President, Medical Communications. “By expanding our international leadership and strengthening our regional hub model, we are deepening our ability to support clients across borders - from molecule to market - with the consistency and integrated expertise required to drive meaningful impact worldwide.”

The Hoffman Agency has made two senior appointments in its Singapore office to strengthen client servicing across multiple geographies.

Akansha Rai (pictured left) has been appointed Senior Vice President, Client Partnerships. She will lead regional programmes spanning Southeast Asia, Greater China, and India for brands including Zoom, Oracle, Ripple, and Western Digital. Akansha brings close to two decades of experience across Asia Pacific, spanning stakeholder engagement, reputation management and policy communications.

Keng Wee Ng (pictured right) has joined as Vice President, Client Partnerships. He brings more than 16 years of communications experience across change and issues management, internal and external communications, government relations, and partnerships. Keng Wee spent close to a decade with communications agencies before moving in-house, where he led regional communications at WeWork and PropertyGuru.

Both Akansha and Keng Wee will report to Maureen Tseng, Managing Director, Southeast Asia.