Help rewrite the script on mental health in UK Film and TV
You can help us to Rewrite the Script on Mental Health in the UK Film and TV Industry by completing the Looking Glass Survey. You still have a few days left to ensure you’re included in the Film and TV Charity’s industry-leading assessment of mental health and wellbeing among people working behind-the-scenes in UK film, TV, and cinema.
Why it matters
As we all know, the last 18 months have been incredibly difficult for many people in the industry. An ongoing production downturn, strikes, and a cost-of-living crisis have all played their part. That’s why it’s more important than ever that we have an up-to-date and authoritative picture of how things are for people right now.
When it comes to mental health and wellbeing in the industry, some of the questions that we need answers to include: Where is the greatest need? What’s getting worse? What, if anything, is getting better? And why? Where should sometimes scarce resources be concentrated to achieve greatest benefit? What are the things that need to be done to rewrite the script on mental health in the industry in general?
To get answers to these questions we need as many people as possible to respond to the survey to make sure we get a representative view of things.
What the Looking Glass Survey has helped us do
Using findings from previous Looking Glass surveys, we shaped our three‑year Whole Picture Programme to raise the profile of mental health among industry workers. We then created our Whole Picture Toolkit for Mentally Healthy Productions, to support Production Managers and Creative Leaders in looking after the mental health of crew members. We’ve also developed an industry-leading Bullying Advice Service and the survey findings have helped shape our services for communities which have historically been overlooked and underserved.
The reach of the survey findings is wide, too. Findings from the survey have been quoted in parliamentary hearings, and we often hear from colleagues overseas that they wish they had a similar survey in their country too.
How you can help
Comparing results across the five years that the Looking Glass has been running, we have seen some small improvements in certain measures (such as the prevalence of bullying, harassment, and discrimination). But major challenges persist before the industry can be seen as a mentally healthy place to work.
Change is possible. But it’s hard, and usually comes bit by bit. It also needs everyone’s involvement – and this is how you can play your part: If you haven’t yet taken the survey, a 15-minute donation of your time is one easy but vitally important way you can help rewrite the script on mental health. If you’re reading this and you have completed the survey (thank you!), you could still help us by sharing it and encouraging others to do so too.
It really makes a difference.
