Mental health on set should be non-negotiable

In the high-pressure world of film and TV production, mental health often takes a backseat to tight deadlines and budget concerns. However, April Kelley, film producer and founder of Mini Productions, shares how prioritizing mental health on set through the Whole Picture Toolkit can transform not only the wellbeing of the crew but also the success of the project.

When I was diagnosed with bipolar, that was the first thing my dad said to me, and it’s something I believe to be true of anyone living with a mental illness. It matches with the extraordinarily creative minds of those working in the entertainment industry and can be a force of nature if nurtured and looked after correctly. And yet so often, our mental health is the first thing we sacrifice to get the job done. 

I think as an industry we can be so quick to say, ​“time is money”. Ironic, because if we took more care of both our own and others mental health, we’d be working and functioning in a way where everyone would get more bang for their buck. 

My Introduction to the Whole Picture Toolkit 

Over the last few years, I’ve written two films exploring themes of mental health, illness, and suicide, one called Just in Case (director; Kirsty Robinson-Ward) and Do This for Me (director; Marnie Baxter). As an ambassador for Bipolar UK, I knew collaborating with them would be a given, but I wanted to find an organisation focused on industry that I could collaborate with too – and naturally I gravitated to the Film and TV Charity. 

At the time, the Whole Picture Toolkit was still in development. I saw the potential impact it could have and approached the Charity about piloting it on my project. 

Practical Steps to Improve Mental Health on Set 

We took several steps to ensure mental health was a priority on set. Here’s how we implemented the Whole Picture Toolkit: 

1. Mental Health Policy: We created a policy that focused on supporting mental health during production.
2. Toolkit Integration: The Whole Picture Toolkit was incorporated into all our briefings and production meetings.
3. Film and TV Support Line: We included the Film and TV Support Line on our call sheets for crew members to access immediate mental health support. 
4. Healthy Working Hours: We ensured everyone’s working hours were healthy, avoiding excessive overtime. 
5. Daily Stand-Up Meetings: Each day began with a meeting led by the 1st Assistant Director (AD) to check in with the entire crew, emphasizing mental wellbeing. 
6. Post-Production Support: We educated the post-production team, who often spend long hours in isolation, on the mental health themes in the films to ensure their wellbeing wasn’t overlooked. 

Long-Lasting Impact of the Whole Picture Toolkit 

Now, every project I work on includes a Wellbeing Officer in the budget, regardless of the genre or topic. Implementing the Toolkit doesn’t require a massive budget – just empathy. At the end of the day, people simply want to feel seen and heard. 

I’m incredibly grateful to the Film and TV Charity for their foresight in creating a resource that has become an integral part of so many productions in our industry. 

Mental Health on Set: A Continuous Effort 

Sara and I built Mini Productions by championing the underdog, because we were, and always will be, the underdog ourselves. It’s easy to forget how much what we watch shapes our outlook on life. We’re 90s babies, so we learnt about love from Notting Hill and female empowerment from Thelma Louise. 

I know it’s obvious and can be overused… but you truly never know what someone is going through. You could be shooting the most hilarious, fantastical film but that doesn’t change what someone might be going through outside of set. 

Finally, I always knew there was a spark of genius in you. I know that’s already been said, but I just wanted to remind you of that once more.