ImNotOK

Mental wellness isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s part of building a sustainable industry. A recent report from NABS, drawing on insights from 52 organisations across advertising, media and marketing, highlights something we’re increasingly seeing across adland: mental wellness is becoming a business priority. More than three quarters of organisations connected mental wellness with creativity, performance, retention or business success. And that makes sense. When people are under constant pressure, navigating uncertainty, dealing with change or simply running on empty, it doesn’t just affect how they feel. It can affect how they work, connect, create and whether they want to stay in the industry at all. But prioritising mental wellness shouldn’t only mean having somewhere to turn when things become overwhelming. It also means creating cultures where people can be honest about how they’re doing, feel less alone, and have access to support before they reach breaking point. That’s where peer support can play an important role. At ImNotOK, we work with organisations across advertising and media to help build cultures where people feel supported, connected and able to talk openly about their mental wellbeing. From peer-to-peer support to tailored workshops and training, we work alongside organisations to find the right approach for their people. If your organisation is thinking about how to strengthen mental wellness support, we’d love to talk. Get in touch with us to find out how we can support your team - email us at hello@imnotok.uk to learn more. People are the industry. And when people feel supported, the whole industry is stronger. Read the full NABS article here: https://lnkd.in/etG3b9sQ #MentalWellness #Adland #Advertising #PeerSupport #MentalHealth #WorkplaceWellbeing Nick Brown Paul Rowlinson Poppy Barnes Jessica Flora Elizabeth Cairns

Sometimes, being listened to can make all the difference. For Isobel Francesca Blaikie, a period of workplace burnout made her reflect on what might have been different if she’d had a stronger support network around her and if she had felt more listened to. That experience inspired Isobel to become an ImNotOK Companion. Peer support isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating a space where someone can talk openly, feel heard and know they don’t have to navigate a difficult period completely on their own. And the impact goes both ways. As Isobel says, being a Companion is an incredibly fulfilling role and she learns just as much from the people she supports. We also believe that talking more openly about mental health can help create workplaces where people feel more comfortable saying, “I’m not OK.” Thank you to Isobel for sharing her experience and helping us continue this important conversation with The Future of Media. If you’re attending, come and say hello. 💙 #ImNotOK #FutureOfMedia #PeerSupport #MentalHealth #Advertising #Media Nick Brown Poppy Barnes Paul Rowlinson Jessica Flora Elizabeth Cairns

This World Mental Health Day, let’s listen to lived experience. 💙 This year’s theme is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.” At ImNotOK, lived experience is at the heart of what we do. We believe that sometimes, one of the most valuable things you can offer someone is the space to be heard by someone who understands. Our Companions use their own lived experience to offer peer-to-peer support, without judgement and without trying to ‘fix’ someone. Because support can start with something simple: Listening. Connecting. Being there. Mental health doesn’t always need a big conversation. It can be a check-in, a coffee, a message, or simply letting someone know they don’t have to navigate a difficult moment alone. This World Mental Health Day, let’s make space for real voices, real experiences and honest conversations - at work and beyond. Let’s listen. Let’s connect. Let’s support better mental health together. #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD2026 #LivedExperience #PeerSupport #MentalHealth #ImNotOK Poppy Barnes, Nick Brown, Paul Rowlinson, Elizabeth Cairns, Jessica Flora

I’ve just completed training with the team at ImNotOK to become a Companion for people working in advertising and media who might be going through a tough time whatever that might be and just need to talk to someone. I’m very proud to be part of such an amazing community. ❤️ The team at ImNotOK are doing such an important job, creating a space where people can feel supported, heard and less alone when things get difficult. Having spent so much of my career in advertising and media, I know how demanding the industry can be. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to who understands your world can make a real difference. The opportunity to be that person for someone, to listen, offer support and help them feel less alone, is a real privilege. I'm proud to be part of a community that's looking out for one another. Because behind every job title, every pitch and every deadline, there’s a person. And sometimes, we all need a little support. ❤️ #MentalHealth #Advertising #Media #SupportEachOther

Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t admitting that you’re struggling. It’s feeling like you can’t. In advertising and media, there can be a real fear that being open about your mental health could affect how you’re perceived, your relationships at work, or even your career progression. That’s something Edward Thesiger, Founding Partner at Confido Collective and one of our ImNotOK Companions, speaks about in his story. After experiencing anxiety and depression himself, Ed recognised how much he had been masking what he was going through. Opening up to someone who understood became the start of something different - using his own lived experience to support others in the industry. That’s what makes peer-to-peer support so powerful. It creates a space away from the workplace hierarchy where you can speak openly, without judgement, with someone who understands because they’ve been there too. We’re proud to be partnering with The Future of Media to keep these conversations going and to help make talking about mental health feel a little less daunting across our industry. Thank you to Ed for sharing his experience and to Future of Media for helping us shine a light on why this kind of support matters. If you’re attending Future of Media London, come and find us. 💙 #ImNotOK #FutureOfMedia #PeerSupport #MentalHealth #Advertising #Media Nick Brown Poppy Barnes Paul Rowlinson Jessica Flora Elizabeth Cairns

Calling everyone in the media and advertising industry… Can you help? 👋 We want to know how you’re really doing. The highs, the pressures, the busy periods, the things that feel difficult, and the things that are helping. We’re asking people across the media industry to take less than 2 minutes to complete our short survey and share how things are for you right now. Your voice can help us better understand what people across our industry are experiencing - and where more support might be needed. 💙 Can you help us by taking the survey? https://lnkd.in/ewSeNm73 And if you know someone else working in media, please share this with them too. Because sometimes, asking “How are you, really?” is where a better conversation starts. #ImNotOK #HowAreYouReally #Media #MentalHealth #PeerSupport

Someone you work with might be struggling. You just might not know it. Not everyone who is struggling looks like they're struggling. They might still be meeting deadlines. Still showing up to meetings. Still making people laugh. Still delivering great work. Behind the scenes, they could be feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious, or simply not themselves. That's why creating a culture of connection matters. You don't need to have the right words. You don't need to fix anything. Sometimes, simply checking in, listening without judgement and letting someone know they're not alone can make a real difference. So, instead of asking “Are you okay?” and moving on when they say “I'm fine”, try: “How are you, really?” “You've seemed a little quiet lately - how are you doing?” “Is there anything you need from me?” Small conversations can open the door to bigger ones. And sometimes, knowing someone is there is enough to make asking for support feel a little easier. Connection starts with noticing. Make connection part of your workplace culture. Find out how ImNotOK can help. Email hello@imnotok.uk #MentalHealthAtWork #WorkplaceWellbeing #PeerSupport #Connection #EmployeeWellbeing Nick Brown, Paul Rowlinson, Poppy Barnes, Jessica Flora, Elizabeth Cairns

We’re really pleased to be partnering with The Future of Media London this November 💙 The pressures of working in advertising and media can be unique - from pitch deadlines and long hours to navigating change, uncertainty and the pressure to always be “on”. That’s why peer support matters. Sometimes, speaking to someone who genuinely understands your industry and has been through something similar can be the first step towards feeling a little less alone. We’ll be at Future of Media London as an official partner, and we’d love to connect with everyone attending. If you’re there, come and say hello - whether you want to find out more about ImNotOK, talk about peer support, or simply have a chat. Thank you to the Future of Media team for having us. We’re looking forward to being part of it. ❤️ #TheFutureOfMedia #ImNotOK #MentalHealth #PeerSupport #Advertising #Media

Could you be someone’s safe space at work? 💚 We’re looking for volunteers to become an ImNotOK Companion. A Companion is someone who’s there to listen, check in and offer peer-to-peer support to someone working in the advertising industry who might be having a difficult time. You’ll need lived experience of mental health difficulties, compassion and empathy, as well as a genuine willingness to listen without judgement, have open and honest conversations, and be there for someone when they need support. As a Companion, you’ll receive training and ongoing support to help you feel confident having those conversations - while becoming part of a community that believes nobody should have to struggle alone. Could you or someone you know be the person who makes it easier for someone to say, “I’m not OK”? 📅 Our next Companion Training Day is Friday 9th October in Central London. 🎟️ Limited spaces available If you’d like to join our upcoming training session, get in touch today: hello@imnotok.uk Poppy Barnes, Nick Brown, Paul Rowlinson, Jessica Flora, Elizabeth Cairns

Agency life can be brilliant. It can also be intense. The buzz of a new brief. The excitement of a big idea. The late-night laughs, the wins, the pitches and the feeling of creating something you're genuinely proud of. But behind the exciting parts can also be tight deadlines, long hours, changing priorities, client pressure and the expectation to keep delivering - even when your energy is running low. Sometimes, the same environment that brings out our best can also leave us feeling overwhelmed. That's why creating a culture where people can talk about pressure, ask for support and look out for one another matters. Because supporting wellbeing isn't about taking away the ambition or energy that makes agency life great. It's about helping people navigate the intense moments without feeling like they have to do it alone. Agency life can be brilliant. Let's make sure it can be sustainable too. Reach out to hello@imnotok.uk today to find out how we can support your people. #AgencyLife #WorkplaceWellbeing #MentalHealthAtWork #PeerSupport #Advertising #EmployeeWellbeing Poppy Barnes, Nick Brown, Paul Rowlinson MSc, Jessica Flora, Elizabeth Cairns