Turbulent times: how to handle it when personal and professional life conflicts

If you work in public sector communications and engagement, it’s probably safe to say you’re used to complexity. But in recent times, the challenges seem to be even more, well, challenging. 

From shifting party control in local councils to increasingly polarised national debates around identity, immigration, and public services, comms teams are being asked to walk a tightrope. You’re expected to be the calm, neutral voice of your organisation, while personally, you may be feeling anything but.

So how do you handle messaging when the political landscape feels at odds with your own values? How do you stay impartial when public sentiment leaves you feeling conflicted? And how do you support your communities when the messages they’re receiving are more complicated and confusing than ever?

Let’s just say it: this is hard. For comms professionals working in councils, health, housing, policing, or any of the public-facing sectors, your job is to communicate with clarity and care. Even when leadership changes direction overnight or when policies are announced that spark public outcry.

Sometimes, that might mean creating content about matters you disagree with. It may mean avoiding topics you care deeply about for fear of appearing political, especially if you’re in a politically restricted role. 

And all of this while still turning up, delivering campaigns aligned with organisational strategies, managing crises, responding to conversations online, handling media enquiries…you know the deal.

This tension can be exhausting. And it’s okay to acknowledge that.

With Mental Health Awareness Week on the horizon (12-18 May), it’s a good reminder that looking after ourselves, and each other, isn’t a ‘nice to have’. It’s essential. This year’s theme is community, something we talk about a lot here at Orlo. Your professional community is just as important as the communities you’re working with in your job.

Understanding and acceptance of how work pressures and the political climate can affect people working in the public sector has come a long way in recent years. It’s no secret that PR and comms are among the most stressful professions. Recent research by CIPR found that over 90% of comms pros reported poor mental wellbeing in the past year alone.  Recognising signs of stress and burnout, and developing a culture of openness around mental health, can help teams deal with challenges better.

Comms Unplugged has been a game changer in this space, embedding the mantra “if you’re not well, you can’t work” into its ethos, and helping comms pros balance work pressures and wellbeing in ways right for them. Tapping into that community was certainly a game-changer for me. 

Whether it’s taking a proper lunch break, checking in with a colleague after a tough announcement, or creating space for honest conversations within your team, small acts of care can make a big difference.

There are a few more links to mental health resources at the end of this blog.

Political shifts can trigger real anxiety in communities, especially when they affect people’s identities, safety, or services they rely on. With trust already at an all-time low across many public sector organisations, comms teams are often first in the firing line when public frustration bubbles up.

In these moments, your crisis comms approach matters more than ever. Having a crisis comms plan will allow you and your team to focus, helping you to minimise the stress that inevitably comes with being in crisis mode. 

A plan doesn’t need to be complicated. Focus on:

• Ownership – Be the trusted voice of truth and take control of the narrative to help combat fake news and the spread of mis- and disinformation.
• Clarity – Stick to the facts. Avoid loaded language.
• Speed – Even if you don’t have all the answers, acknowledging a situation early builds trust.
• Tone – Be human. Empathy goes further than polished content.
• Consistency – Mixed messages from multiple sources can undermine public confidence.

And remember, crisis comms isn’t just about statements and press releases. It’s the tone in your DMs, the comment replies, the FAQs you publish, and the care you take in the words you choose.

For more resources on crisis communications, we like the Government Communications Service (GCS) crisis comms planning guide, which helps you put together a crisis comms plan. It’s also worth looking at Amanda Coleman’s work – she has a wealth of experience in the public sector, particularly in policing, and has several books on the topic. You can also read our blog from earlier this year: How to Combat the Spread of Misinformation on Social Media

At times like these, social media can feel overwhelming, and perhaps you are tempted to distance yourself from it all. But it’s one of the richest sources of insight into how your audiences are feeling.

Using social listening tools can help you cut through the noise, target your attention on the right audiences, and get a sense of what really matters to your communities. What language are they using around certain issues? Where is confusion creeping in? What topics are polarising them?

This kind of listening isn’t about chasing trends or quick wins – it’s about grounding your messaging in real understanding. It helps you communicate in ways that resonate with them, without falling into the trap of sounding like a party-political broadcast.

One of the hardest parts of this landscape is separating your own feelings from your role. You might find yourself drafting neutral posts on topics that feel deeply personal, or having to defend decisions you didn’t make.

Here are a few tips that comms leaders we work with have found helpful:

• Reflect, don’t react – Take time to process your own views before stepping into the work.
• Use internal comms as a safety valve – If you’re struggling, chances are your colleagues are too. Creating space to talk openly (off-record) can help to vent frustrations and build team resilience.
• Lean on your code of ethics – Whether it’s the Government Communication Service (GCS) principles, your organisational values, or your own personal values, having a framework can help you stay grounded and give you perspective.
• Take time to switch off – Often easier said than done, turn off notifications on social apps on your personal devices; avoid being drawn into work topics in your own time. Safeguard your personal time.

Sometimes, it’s not just about getting through a tough patch, it’s about recognising when the job itself isn’t sustainable for you anymore.

The moral stress, the workload, the pressure to stay neutral on issues you feel passionate about…it’s a lot. And for some comms professionals, it’s prompting bigger questions: Can I keep doing this and stay well?

Changing roles, or leaving the sector, isn’t failure. It’s a legitimate act of self-preservation. If your values no longer align with your organisation, or the emotional toll has become too heavy, it’s okay to explore what’s next. The skills you’ve built – strategic thinking, crisis response, emotional intelligence – are valuable far beyond your current role.

Talk to people you trust. Take your time. There’s a big community of comms pros out there and so many people willing to help you process your feelings, talk about your career next steps, and offer insight and advice. And know this: protecting your wellbeing isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.

The truth is, there’s no script for this moment. Everyone’s trying to make sense of shifting messages, rapid policy changes, and heated public discourse, including citizens, service users, organisations and comms teams alike.

That’s why empathy is your most powerful tool, both for yourself and your audiences. Communicate with care. Offer clarity where you can. And when in doubt, listen first.

I’m proud to be working with Orlo, a business committed to supporting public sector comms professionals doing this difficult work every day. Whether it’s helping you keep track of online sentiment or supporting fast, joined-up responses in a crisis, we’re here to make your job just a little bit easier.

Because right now, you’re not just communicating on behalf of your organisation. You’re helping your communities stay connected, informed, and, hopefully, a little more understood.

1. CIPR Mental Health Hub
   The Chartered Institute of Public Relations offers a dedicated hub with toolkits, webinars, and guidance tailored to the unique pressures of PR and comms roles.
   🔗 cipr.co.uk/mentalhealth
2. PRCA Mental Health Resources
   The Public Relations and Communications Association provides resources and reports focusing on mental wellbeing in the PR industry, including the latest Mental Wellbeing Audit.
   🔗 prca.org.ukcipr.co.uk+3Cipr Newsroom+3Mynewsdesk+3
3. State of Us
   A peer-led mental health network for comms and marketing professionals, offering community support, events, and insights into industry-specific challenges.
   🔗 stateofus.co.ukPRovoke Media
4. Mind – Workplace Mental Health
   Mind provides comprehensive resources for managing mental health at work, including guides for employers and employees on creating mentally healthy workplaces.
   🔗 mind.org.uk/workplace
5. NHS Every Mind Matters
   Offers practical tips and resources to help manage mental wellbeing, including personalized action plans and advice on dealing with stress and anxiety.
   🔗 nhs.uk/every-mind-matters