By Brenda Foster

Mental health researcher Patrick Corrigan has long maintained that one of the biggest stigma-busters is interaction with individuals who have lived experience with mental illness. As communicators, we know firsthand how positive personal storytelling can open hearts, minds and conversations about mental health and other sensitive or stigmatized issues. 

I’ve spent many years as a “story facilitator,” guiding youth and adults through the process of sharing their mental health recovery journeys — always with a mutual eye toward diminishing prejudice and fostering help-seeking behaviors. What I’ve learned is that revealing these stories can come at a great cost to the story owners. They often are told how helpful sharing will be for an audience, but not how painful it might be or the consequences it can carry.

Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to focus on storytelling that highlights the journeys of people who have experienced challenges like mental illness, abuse, suicidal ideation or trauma. A laser focus during this time can yield valuable attention and resources for these issues. Most people with lived experience want to share their testimony in service of the greater good. As story facilitators, we also have a responsibility to ensure that story owners are protected during this process and understand the value and potential price of what they’re sharing. 

The best way to approach story facilitation is to view people with lived experience as fellow professionals, acknowledging their right to control how and when their stories are shared. Over the years, generous story partners have helped me hone advice for working with mental health story owners, as well as other individuals who are considering revealing personal experiences for the benefit of others. 

Establish boundaries. First-time storytellers are often eager to help others by sharing their journeys. In some cases, they can be blinded by this motivation. Encourage story owners to think about what aspects they want to share — not everything has to be fair game. For example, would sharing a traumatic family experience have unanticipated personal or professional repercussions? Will sharing certain details put them in legal jeopardy? Could recounting their experiences impact their own wellbeing?

Control consent. Allow the story owner to control how their content is shared. Be prepared with an agreement that includes the intended platforms, formats and audiences for the story. Provide a time limit on how long your organization can use the story without permission or updates.

Find purpose. Work with story owners to identify the goal of sharing, then help them refine the story to ensure that the most salient points are included. Not all stories have to start at the beginning.

Look for objectivity. Communicators and advocates know what stories “sell,” which means that we might not be completely objective when we’re helping story owners find their comfort zone. Advise them to seek the counsel of family, friends or a mental health provider to determine what they want to reveal about their journey. They will be able to help identify areas where an individual’s vulnerability could have consequences. 

Encourage openness and honesty. Even if someone has fully prepared for their story debut, the act of sharing can make them feel exposed. Remind them that, if they’re caught off guard by their own emotions, it’s OK to reveal that to the audience. It’s also perfectly fine to end the experience, if needed. Self-protection should be paramount, and the ultimate decision about how to do that should lie with the story owner.  

Brenda K. Foster, M.P.A., is a senior vice president at Vanguard Communications in Washington, D.C., and an instructor for the graduate program at American University’s School of Communications. She was named a PR News Top Woman in PR and was a finalist for WWPR Woman of the Year.

By Jen Peters, WWPR Member

The public relations field is exhilarating – the adrenaline rush of scoring a major media hit, the dopamine boost of an interview opportunity, the thrill of a press mention. But for those of us with ADHD, that very excitement and its inevitable emotional peaks and valleys can be a double-edged sword. The ups are incredibly rewarding, but the downs can be mentally and physically crippling. After being diagnosed with ADHD two years into my first PR role, I’ve learned some hard lessons about protecting my well-being in this fast-paced, high-stress industry.

Recently, I experienced a breaking point that crystallized how unsustainable my coping methods had become. One mistake, seemingly minor in hindsight, left me in the fetal position on the couch, wracked with tears I couldn’t control. In that moment, I realized no amount of late nights, early mornings, or frantic inbox monitoring could compensate for unmanaged ADHD in a career that trades on urgency, multitasking, and emotional volatility.

PR and any professional services can be challenging for many reasons. We’re constantly on the lookout for the next press hit or interview opportunity. It is mentally taxing to be pulled in many directions, often with multiple matters needing your attention at the same time. 

For those of us with ADHD brains, public relations presents unique challenges. While stressful, it is also extremely satisfying. Watching a client get mentioned in the news, hearing about a new opportunity to get media, getting that cold email from a reporter, or getting that surprise news mention that almost never happens. Knowing I am making a difference for them—this is the part I love. 

Our ability to think differently and make unique connections gives those of us with ADHD a creative edge for developing fresh pitches and uncovering compelling story angles. Our tendency to approach solving problems in unconventional ways that our neurotypical colleagues might not can greatly benefit client teams. When we’re interested in a subject, our ability to hyperfocus makes tasks like crafting persuasive op-eds truly enjoyable. ADHD can be a superpower in this field.

However, working in PR subjects you to activities that spike your dopamine, like being on your phone. Dopamine production does not happen for people with ADHD the same way it does for neurotypical people. We also take rejection and criticism very hard – which comes as part of the job. It’s addicting and fun, and if you’re not careful, the crash can be devastating. 

While this career comes with built-in stressors for the ADHD mind, I’ve found strategies to safeguard my well-being:

• Trust your gut – If you feel like something is wrong, follow your instinct. Mental health issues are hard enough on their own and can be very difficult to get help when you need it, in the way you need it. Take it from me – don’t wait until you’re sobbing on the couch. Make the call to your doctor, tell a colleague you need to take a break. Trust that you know what you need in the moment  – and then do it.
• Do something else – You need to take a break. Some mental health professionals recommend a digital detox, which seems impossible to people who work in PR – because what if we miss that call or email? The reality is, you’ll burn out if you don’t. Take one intentional break from devices during the day. For me, I have incorporated an hour of reading a book before bed. And I try to limit screen time by walking the dogs and listening to podcasts or audiobooks for at least two hours after I wrap up work. 
• Use the new AI tool and don’t feel guilty about it – I recently started incorporating more AI tools into my workflow, and I’m not sure if it’s the reformed Catholic guilt, guilt from being a woman who feels like she can’t ask for help, or my Capricorn Sun, but I sometimes insanely guilty. The reality is, AI is here, and if there are ways to hack my life (responsibly), it’s worth it to stress a little less. Sometimes, I ask ChatGPT to summarize an article and draft a social post. All of the time, I let Grammarly check for my typos and make suggestions. 
• Remember: You are worth more than your engagement outcomes – You know the feeling of sending out a great story idea and not getting any attention? That crushing letdown? Remember, securing media coverage doesn’t dictate your value, especially in a media environment that is becoming increasingly competitive. 

Taming the PR emotional rollercoaster requires self-awareness, self-compassion, and protective habits. It’s an ongoing journey, but one that allows me to thrive in a field I love without sacrificing my mental health. For my fellow ADHD public relations professionals, know you aren’t alone in this battle – with the right coping toolkit, we can conquer the unique demands of this career. And at the very least, please know you’re not alone.

Jennifer Peters is a senior associate at Collaborative Communications Group