They always ask, “Who’s the creative lead?” Never, “How’s the creative lead?”

“Work-life balance” has almost become a swear word in the agency world. Our industry prides itself on our work ethic. Rightfully so. We put in a lot of late nights and weekends. We hit ridiculous deadlines with time to spare. Then, before we can even catch our breath, we’re back at it.

Because this is an important client. There’s a lot riding on this work. And pushing the timeline? Impossible. Look, I get it. Like Tupac said, “Some things will never change.” But can we all agree that mental health is an issue agencies can no longer afford to ignore?

Talk to almost any account person and they’re sure to know someone who has cried in the office restroom, if they haven’t themselves. Or ask any creative if they’ve ever gotten physically sick after pulling a few all-nighters. This is a stressful gig, and occupational burnout is a real syndrome recognized by the World Health Organization — not just something us “lazy millennial snowflakes” made up (don’t get me started on that).

In addition to burning out, agency employees are more likely to show symptoms of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Long hours. Constant pressure. Cutthroat environments. High turnover. The “work hard, play hard” mentality. The list of reasons goes on and on.

So what can we do to make things better for ourselves and our colleagues?

Talking about it is the first step. No, people shouldn’t keep their heads down and tough it out. The fact that some agencies designate a “cry closet” for crying sessions and panic attacks, then expect employees to go right back to work like nothing happened is just… I mean, really?

Recently at EFM, our team went through the exercise of creating and sharing our individual user manuals, so we could better understand each other’s motivations, work flows, communication styles, etc. Some folks got real about their personal struggles, which was extremely brave. Acknowledging mental health takes courage, and we need to foster agency cultures where people can feel safe to discuss these issues — maybe not so publicly — without being dismissed or stigmatized.

While we’re at it, let’s stop bragging about how many hours we work.

Another thing we need to do is put words into action. Above talking about it, be about it. We should place the same level of importance on mental health as we do physical health. Make sick days and mental health days one and the same. Prioritize self-care in the same way we do exercising and eating right. Ensure employees have access to therapy and mental health professionals.

Since we make our livings on what our brains create, shouldn’t we do all we can for the welfare of our minds?

One last thing. Maybe. Just maybe. Chill out. I know this is easier said than done, but hear me out. Set some boundaries. Maybe don’t check emails at lunch or in bed. I’m not discounting how much is at stake, or the significance of anybody’s work. However… The world will still be here tomorrow.

Oh, and if you’re reading this in your office after hours, GO HOME!

Note: The views expressed above are purely my opinions. If you need help dealing with mental health issues, please consult a qualified mental health professional before making any decision regarding treatment of yourself or others.