Safety & Welfare
Mental Health & Wellbeing
The Mental Health & Wellbeing of Art Department crew in the Film & TV industry is a key focus within our work group for Welfare. We will update this page with links to resources and the latest information to help our members feel supported.
Our aim is to ensure our branch members are informed and equipped to:
Return to work post Covid-19 in the knowledge that both their physical and mental health are considered under their employer's duty of care
Have access to mental health support and resources
Not suffer discrimination due to underlying mental health conditions
We hope to:
Campaign for strategies to improve workplace mental health including access to mental health first-aiders
Make standard practice the availability of mental health risk assessments covering triggers including but not limited to sexual assault, racism or violent and emotional abuse of any kind in scripts, sets and scenes
Latest
Impact of Covid-19 on Mental Health
We’re aware of the possible implications of Covid-19 on mental health and support the work of 6ft from the Spotlight, who are campaigning for an increase of mental health first aiders on set. We hope to invite discussion and campaign for more initiatives such as these, which recognise the effect that the working patterns and long hours of our industry have on people's mental and physical wellbeing.
Mental Health Risk Assessments
We’d like to start the discussion on making standard practice the availability of mental health risk assessments covering triggers including but not limited to sexual assault, racism or violent and emotional abuse of any kind in scripts, sets and scenes.
External resources
BECTU guide on understanding stress and mental health issues at work. BECTU also regularly runs workshops and webinars such as ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing’ and ‘Blocking Bullying Behaviours’. Check out the latest Live Events here.
6 FT FROM THE SPOTLIGHT is an initiative to provide mental health training & wellbeing facilitators on film sets. They have recently campaigned the BFC to get on-set mental health & wellbeing advisors into the post Covid-19 working guidelines. They also have a 6ft From Mental Health in Film podcast.
SCREENSKILLS MASTERCLASS: MENTAL HEALTH IN FILM on how to look after the mental health of freelancers in film production.
FILM + TV CHARITY supports people in the UK Film and Television industry at every stage of their career and beyond. They offer a wide range of financial, practical and emotional support from legal queries, financial trouble and family issues to mental health & wellbeing. Call their 24/7 Support Line on 0800 054 0000 to ask for professional advice.
HEADS TOGETHER is a mental health initiative which combines a campaign to tackle stigma and change the conversation on mental health with fundraising for a series of innovative new mental health services.
BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY REGISTER is a charity that promotes and provides education and training for counsellors and psychotherapists working in either professional or voluntary settings, whether full or part time, with a view to raising the standards of the counselling professions for the benefit of the community and in particular for those who are the recipients of counselling or psychotherapy.
MIND is a mental health charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Mind has a confidential information and support line, Mind Infoline, available on 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am - 6pm, Monday – Friday). Mind’s online mental health community ELEFRIENDS is a safe space where anyone aged 18 and over with experience of a mental health problem can share their story, connect with others, access Mind’s wider information and resources, and give support in return.
INSIDE JOURNAL is a communal journaling project promoting mental health during Covid-19
SOMETHING POSITIVE is a site which features only positive news related to the Coronavirus