Two years ago, we introduced Zeno’s mental health ERG, Healthy Minds, and one year ago, we unveiled our Mental Health First Aiders program – a network of mental health advocates who are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health issues. Today, Zeno continues to put our people first by ensuring a culture of caring – inclusive of mind, body and spirit – through our signature mental well-being initiative, Be Kind to Your Mind. 

In honor of World Mental Health Day, Mental Health First Aiders from around the world share their diverse experiences and insights on protecting and supporting mental well-being in the workplace.  

John Moore, Senior Vice President, Media Strategy, Zeno U.S.  

As a Gen Xer, I was in college before I’d ever heard the term ‘mental health awareness.’ Even though many of us lived in families that were affected by mental health issues, it was not often discussed. As a father, I’m relieved that our global community has finally decided to emphasize mental health. Talking about my mental health - and taking care of it - has been a key to my happiness at this point in my life. That’s the main reason I wanted to be a Zeno First Aider.  

Our jobs can be more stressful than many. For the media specialists at Zeno, we must know the news around the clock. For me, that means keeping the TV tuned into cable news when I am at my desk. I can’t change the news, but I can make sure I do things to protect my mental health when I am not at work. This includes spending time with friends and my family; reading (I’m a big fan of political and music memoirs); going to lots of shows; writing about music for several magazines and websites; and in some cases, getting tattoos to celebrate personal and emotional milestones (my next session is already booked for World Mental Health Day).          

Daniella McCrorie, Senior Vice President, Health & Wellness, Zeno Canada  

Mental health is a crucial aspect of our overall well-being, yet it often takes a backseat to our daily responsibilities and commitments. While clients’ needs are always a top priority, over the last 16 years, I have developed a refined version of this mantra: prioritize first. If we don’t take the time to assess and identify what is important and communicate when we need help, we are doing everyone a disservice, putting our mental health and quality of work at risk.  

As a working mom of two young boys involved in competitive sports year-round, the mental load is real. Juggling the demands of leading a busy team and managing a full family schedule can be exhausting and overwhelming. A few years ago, it became clear that without taking care of my mental health, I couldn’t effectively support my team or family. This turning point was one of the main reasons I became a Mental Health First Aider at Zeno.  

Navigating the mental load of managing a household, career and my children’s activities required me to adopt new strategies for maintaining my mental well-being. I started exercising in the morning, stopped scrolling before bed and reviewed what’s ahead for the week as a family on Sundays to avoid living day-by-day. These small but significant changes have helped me recharge and approach my responsibilities with a clearer mind and a more positive outlook. 

Heidi Cambridge, Associate Director, Brand and Business Development, Zeno London 

We work in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment, so providing support around mental health is hugely important. The latest mental well-being audit by PRCA and CIPR shows that the prevalence of mental health conditions among people who work in the PR sector has risen from one in four to one in three, so being kind to each other is more important than ever. This is one of the main reasons I wanted to be a Mental Health First Aider. 

At Zeno, protecting mental health and wellbeing is a huge focus within the London office. We have a dedicated Be Kind To Your Mind employee group to ensure we are supporting employees as much as possible. We’ve also launched Wellbeing Wednesdays, where we will host an event or initiative focused on health and wellbeing each month. 

Physical activity is something that helps to keep me grounded, so I try as much as possible to incorporate it into my day. A phrase I also like to remember is, ‘It’s PR not ER’. Whilst we are all hugely passionate about our clients and work, mental wellbeing comes first! 

Anushweta Sinh Ray, Senior Manager, Human Resources, Zeno India  

It started with a conversation— a close acquaintance, someone who always seemed to have it all together, bravely admitted to feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and stress. The admission was a reminder: the battles people face often remain hidden. The workplace doesn’t always make room for vulnerability. That moment helped me realize that with the right support, things can change. This started my journey toward understanding the importance of mental well-being, both for myself and others.  

Living in India, mental health is often brushed aside, stigmatized or misconstrued. Mental health awareness has become a vital topic that demands attention and action to break down barriers. At Zeno India, we actively foster an environment where speaking up doesn’t feel like a weakness.  

Every person’s journey is unique. I found mine by returning to my childhood passions—dancing, learning a new language, and watching plays. Daily, simple routines—like morning walks, a 5-minute stretch after every hour of working, a 10-minute meditation in the evening, reading at least ten pages of a book before bedtime, staying hydrated and practicing gratitude — help manage the pressures of the day. These habits serve as reminders that mental well-being requires intention and care.  

Everyone’s journey looks different, but with empathy and support, the path becomes a little easier to navigate—for us and each other.  

As we look past World Mental Health Day, we remain more committed to mental well-being at work than ever. We thank our network of 30 Mental Health Allies around the world for their dedication and support.