Helping someone else
Awareness of the importance of mental health in our industry is increasing. Half the respondents to our most recent Looking Glass Survey reported positive attitudes to mental health among their day-to-day colleagues. While this is positive and a reason for optimism, a quarter also told us that their own mental health was either “poor” or “very poor”.
Many people still struggle to access the support they need. The fear of not being re-hired remains the most common reason individuals hesitate to share mental health concerns with their colleagues.
Signs that a colleague might need support include:
- Changes in someone’s personality, behaviour, or routine
- Arriving late
- Seeming stressed, tired or anxious
- Avoiding social activities
- Over-working
- Appearing withdrawn and/or avoiding social activities
- Having trouble concentrating
If you think a colleague might be in distress, how you respond will depend on your relationship with them, the severity of the situation, and what they share with you.
For instance, if they are a friend, they might simply need a safe space to talk. However, if it’s someone you manage, or their issues are affecting their job performance or the team’s wellbeing, you may need to seek additional advice and support to handle the situation effectively.
Industry communities and peer support
Organisations and groups that can help you build vital connections and supportive relationships.
Guidance for supporting someone else
You can use the following guidance to help deal with a variety of different situations.
Mentally healthy productions
We have created the Whole Picture Toolkit to help support people at all levels of production, and to guide managers and senior creative leaders in looking after the mental health of crew members.
