Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources

Freelancer ‘Wellbeing Check-In’ quiz

Start your wellbeing journey by taking our 1-Minute ‘Wellbeing Check-In’ quiz. You will get tailored tips and advice for managing common industry stressors as well as ways you can boost your wellbeing at work. Click here to take the quiz.

Working in film and television can give you the freedom and flexibility to follow your passion. But it can also come with a lot of uncertainty and pressure. When YOU are your most important business asset, it’s vital that you look after your physical and mental health. Check out our tips on looking after yourself.

We know that mental health and wellbeing is inextricably linked with financial and other types of stress. To find out more about how we can provide financial support and guidance, click here.

For in the moment support, pick up the phone and call our support line on 0800 054 0000, email us, or speak to someone through our Live Chat service – whichever you feel most comfortable with.

Please note: on their website, you will be presented with an orange webchat icon at the top of the page, as well as a phone number. Please state you are accessing the service via the Film and TV Charity. If no advisors are available (due to high traffic), please wait and try again later.

Anyone working behind the scenes can request a referral to up to six counselling sessions via our 24-hour Support Line on 0800 054 0000 or use our Live Chat

Our counsellors are experienced in working with LGBTQI+ and Black and Global Majority communities. Translators can be arranged for a range of languages, and you can talk to a counsellor who uses British Sign Language.

Our Support Line is the UK’s only BACP-accredited EAP provider and it provides high-quality, accessible and inclusive counselling. However, we also recognise that it may be important to address specific needs or aspects of lived experience and have therefore included some links to enable you to access individual therapy independently.

• How to find a therapist – Mind’s guide explains what talking therapies are, what to expect, how to find a therapist and also a useful list of things to ask when booking your first appointment. Find out more on their website.
• Talking Therapies: NHS talking therapy services (or IAPT services), are free, confidential and delivered by accredited practitioners. Find out where to access them.
• BACP Therapist Directory is an online, searchable directory of around 16,000 private therapists. Only registered or accredited BACP members can advertise, ensuring that all the counsellors listed meet BACP standards for training, experience and ethical practice.
• Hub of Hope: Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place.
• DisabilityPlus is the first UK counselling service to specialise in a comprehensive range of disabilities. It provides funding or subsidised Counselling for disabled people & those affected by disabilities. Specialist Disability Counselling Services – DisabilityPlus
• Black Minds Matter: Black Minds Matter UK connects Black individuals and families with free mental health services- by professional Black therapists to support their mental health.

This free ScreenSkills eLearning module is designed for anyone working in the screen industries (film, TV, animation, visual effects (VFX) and games) who wants to develop their awareness of mental health. It identifies how you can support your own mental wellbeing and to overcome industry-specific challenges that may prevent you caring for yourself and others.

We want you to see the whole picture when it comes to managing the mental health and wellbeing of your production team.

Our Whole Picture Toolkit for mentally healthy productions can also support the practice of embedding mental health and wellbeing considerations into productions at any stage.

Think about who is best placed to support you. Do you have co-workers who can assist you? Peer support can be incredibly validating and there are lots of networks in the industry.

Our Freelancer Connector Grants pilot scheme funded the ten film and TV freelancer networks listed below. The pilot found that these projects have a significant positive effect on members’ mental wellbeing, connecting often lonely and isolated industry workers who lack relationships with people ‘like them’ in their working environments.

There are many more out there – largely targeted at underrepresented groups and those facing additional barriers, providing professional support, social connections and networking opportunities.

• Wonder Women connects a diverse range of freelance women who work in Television (in production, corporate and editorial roles) to industry leaders for year-long mentoring, monthly master classes and informal peer support.
• Film and TV Carers Club is run by Carers for Carers, to provide a more open dialogue about caring responsibilities, with a web presence, informal peer to peer support and monthly online meetings.
• The Black Film and TV Forum is a peer support group for Black film and TV professionals in West Midlands. Meeting weekly to offer support, industry opportunities, network and collaborate. They also host special events with industry leaders and provide a weekly newsletter.
• British Arab Writers Group is an informal collective that meet remotely to support each other through sharing job opportunities, troubleshooting work-based issues, collaborating creatively and building friendships.
• Trans On Screen professionals in Film & TV is an online talent directory representing trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming professionals in all areas of Film and TV, from pre-production to distribution. They regularly organise meet-ups, events and workshops throughout the UK.
• Skye Films Ltd New community initiative that aims to connect freelance workers living in remote regions in Scotland. They host occasional in-person meetings Skye, plus regular online meetups.
• Peer Support Groups – Film in Mind is a new initiative designed to support Documentary filmmakers in setting up their own peer-support networks, plus provide facilitation training and ongoing supervision.
• The Black Costume Network is a cohort creating an open & safer space for UK Black & Mixed race creatives in the Costume Industry focusing on positivity, support & action. They provide career advice, wellbeing support, online and in-person meet-ups.
• BEAM Network [British East & South East Asians in media] is an online community of 1600+ members, dedicated to supporting British East and South East Asians (BESEAs) working behind the scenes in the film, television and media industry. BEAM Network runs regular informal meet ups and networking events.
• We Are Doc Women was founded in 2017 to provide peer support for women directors working in factual film and television across the UK. They now number almost 2000 women from researchers to Executive Producers. They advocate for equal opportunities, greater support and fair recognition within the industry.

If you need help a mental health crisis or emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment.

Mental help helpline for urgent help

• NHS urgent mental health helplines are for people of all ages and provide 24-hour advice and support – for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for.
• Mind have provided this guide outlining the mental health crisis services that are available, how they can help and when to access them.
• Samaritans offer a confidential listening service, where they won’t judge or advise, but just listen. You can call anytime on 116 123. Other ways of contacting them are on their website.

Samaritans provide supportive and practical advice if you’re worried about someone else’s mental health and aren’t sure what to do. Learn more about the support they offer on their website.

Many people experiencing a mental health problem speak to friends and family before a health professional. Find advice here from Mind on how to support someone else to seek help. 

For people who experience a mental health problem, the shame and silence can be as bad as the symptoms themselves. Your attitude to mental health could change someone’s life. Time To Change provides lots of resources to get us all talking more about mental health, including easy tips you can use to open up conversations and support others. Time To Change. 

Mental Health First Aid highlights some of the common triggers that might impact our mental health and how to spot the signs that a friend or colleague might need support. Find out more on their website.

One in four people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. If you want to know more about specific mental health problems or symptoms, including anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder, Rethink has a comprehensive guide.

The Zero Suicide Alliance is a collaboration of National Health Service trusts, charities, businesses and individuals all committed to suicide prevention. Access their free online suicide prevention training here.

Would you be interested in possible volunteering opportunities such as being involved in the development of new services, offering career advice and other future services? Please email [email protected] so that we can keep in touch.

Become a mentor

The ScreenSkills programme pairs up new entrants, those looking for support or returning after a break with mentors from across the industry.

Become a supporter

Depending on whether you want to become a supporter as an individual or as a corporate partner, we’ve pulled together all the ways you can get involved.

In partnership with ScreenSkills and other industry experts, we’ve developed guidance relating to mental health training for employers, freelancers and anyone with line management responsibilities. It’s a direct response to research conducted for the Film and TV Charity, and is available on the ScreenSkills website.

The guidance is designed to provide a framework or overview of the different areas of training that could be considered when putting together a mental health training plan for staff and/or freelance teams.

View the Screenskills guidance