Mind-Craft Report

Mind-Craft report identifies challenge of loneliness to the mental health of industry workers

 The report analyses responses to the Charity’s own 2021 Looking Glass survey, identifying that loneliness has three times the impact on the mental health and wellbeing of those working behind the scenes in Film, TV and Cinema.

Applying a statistical model created by data scientists at Select Statistics, the report finds that loneliness is the single leading influence on film and TV workers’ mental health, while also recognising that other factors also have an impact on mental health and wellbeing, including:

• • • • • Career development
        • Workplace culture and communication
        • Financial struggles
        • Impact of Covid
        • Work-life balance

The report acts in support of the Charity’s strategic focus on improving working conditions. These focuses are on workplace culture, and the capability of the industry to support the mental health and wellbeing of its workers.

The report also underlines the importance of the Charity’s community and social wellbeing programmes. It reaffirms that supportive networks and community connections should be at the heart of these initiatives to help with issues of loneliness. As part of our Community Development programme, in 2020 we ran a grants programme that supported 43 industry peer support initiatives. We are also currently funding 10 grassroots community initiatives, to build social connections and peer-to-peer networks for freelancers, with tour Freelancer Connector Grants Pilot.

Download the Mind Craft Report

Social Wellbeing Support

We recognise the challenge of loneliness faced by many in the sector, where work can sometimes be isolating and periods out of work hard to handle. The report’s findings highlight how important cultivating social wellbeing and a sense of connection and community will be.

Our existing mental health support can be accessed through the below services:

• Film and TV Support Line
• Bullying Advice Service
• Freelancer Wellbeing Hub
• Mental Health Support

These services are supported by the development of the Whole Picture Toolkit: for mentally healthy productions, which is currently being rolled out across the industry. The Let’s Reset programme has been developed in partnership with key industry stakeholders. The programme drives change around the conditions, culture, and capabilities that impact mental health.

We are grateful for the continued support of industry as we rise to tackle these wellbeing challenges, with the aim of improving the working lives of management, staff and crew at all levels of the industry.