Calls to NABS Soar Above 5,000 a Year for First Time Ever

A record 5,200 calls were made to NABS in 2024, according to figures released today by the support charity. 

This is an 18% increase in calls from 2023, showing a clear picture of an industry increasingly in need of mental health support. 

Emotional support topped the list of reasons for contacting NABS, with 22% more people calling for help in 2024 than 2023. This category includes burnout, anxiety and stress. Many people who called NABS for emotional support reported feeling overwhelmed, unsupported or pushed to the brink of resigning or taking sick leave. 

Redundancy is the second reason for calling and a large area of growth. In total, 39% more people contacted NABS for help in 2024 than 2023, with downloads of NABS’ online redundancy guide rising by 15%. This reflects the impact of the global economic climate, subsequent pressures on the industry and continued job uncertainty.  

With the industry and the world in a state of upheaval, NABS’ mental health support has never been more essential or in demand. One in five callers to NABS in 2024 required specific mental health support and the charity referred 16% more callers for therapy than in 2023. This increase is also a result of better awareness of NABS and its services among the industry community. 

Engagement with NABS’ overall provision has reached an all-time high. NABS’ services were used more than 14,000 times in 2024, supporting 3,000 people to advance their mental wellness. This represents a 12% increase in people using NABS’ services year-on-year. 

NABS’ services include its newly expanded line-up of workshops, which are more popular than ever. NABS launched its Managers’ Mindsets training and support programme in 2024, introducing group sessions on key management topics alongside its long-standing core workshops. Altogether, there was a 42% rise year-on-year in the take-up of workshops. 

Sue Todd, CEO, NABS, says, “People are experiencing extraordinary levels of uncertainty and change. Our industry wants to know how we can survive at this pace while still having a positive experience at work. Now more than ever we all have to dig in to develop and support adland, to ensure that everybody who needs help can find a way forward. We thank everyone who donates to or raises money for NABS, ensuring that we can help every single person who reaches out to us.”   

Naren Patel, partner at OOH Capital, founder of MEFA, and chair of trustees at NABS, says: “Our 2024 figures highlight the immense demand for NABS’ services within our industry. While we continue to innovate to meet this growing need, we cannot sustain our support without vital funding. We urge every business in the sector to step forward and contribute - your support enables us to keep uplifting the industry.”