Anna Cordingley
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Easily one of the wittiest, most whimsical and sought-after lighting designers in the country announced to me last year his decision to exit our industry because of the extreme toll it was taking on his mental health. We were ambling along the Brisbane River, the sky was gorgeous, we were neither of us too old nor too young. I was disbelieving, seeking at once to reverse his decision: ‘but it’s a supportive industry,’ I appealed, ‘far more than most. It bends and yields, it’s a flexible creature. You can make it what you need, surely?’
‘No. I can’t.’ He put, squarely. ‘Even when companies are outwardly supportive, the truth is that in tech week I will still be required to work fifteen hours and then redesign throughout the night. To respond to the discoveries and epiphanies and cuts from the day that was, ready to program and play-out first thing the next morning. There is no getting around the brutal reality that unless I change my process – reduce my work standard, light the show with endless, general washes – then I will continue to destroy myself. This is it and my mental wellbeing just can’t take the nature of this work. I’m reconciled.’
My brilliant friend was calling out but some of the challenges that make a designer’s work environment uniquely thrilling, but also relentless, demanding, unforgiving. Design can be as mercurial and vast as we choose to make it – for the perfectionists amongst us that load is extreme – but when the burden of design stacks against inordinate other life complications, it can absolutely devastating.
Awareness of the imperative for mental wellbeing in the arts has been steadily growing in momentum for years. And thank God. It needs to, when the statistics from our industry are oft quoted and never fail to shock:
Our levels of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms are 10 times higher than those in the general population.
Our levels of depression symptoms are five times higher than in the general population.
In the last twelve months, Australian Entertainment Industry Workers experienced suicide ideation 5-7 times more than the general population and 2-3 times more over a lifetime.[1]
Entertainment Assist, the national health charity advocating for greater awareness about mental health in the Australian entertainment industry, has been conducting new research into our collective welfare. Respondents to their surveys illustrate that we have ‘extensive mental health issues across the broad spectrum of the industry often as a result of bullying, sexual abuse, long and unrewarding working hours and a lack of appreciation for years of commitment.’[2]
And despite that aforementioned momentum, Entertainment Assist have also observed that ‘workers do not know how to seek support, nor do they know how to talk about mental health with colleagues/peers they may be concerned about performing artists live much shorter lives, on average, than the rest of working community.’[3]
So this discussion is timely. Last week, APDG sent an invitation to the Wellness Roadshow; a project scheduled to tour nationally throughout 2020 and dedicated to increasing awareness of the unique mental health and wellbeing concerns felt across our sector. It follows the ABC television premiere of Ben Steel’s documentary The Show Must Go On which gives extraordinary insight into the prevalence of depression, anxiety and substance abuse amongst us. Together, The Show Must Go On and The Wellness Roadshow seek to target industry leaders, artists and students to ‘ignite the conversation, create action, change the statistics.’[4] Health professionals and many of the people interviewed by Ben in his documentary affirm that it is vital for anyone feeling vulnerable to share their concerns about mental health. Don’t keep it to yourself. Talk to friends, talk to co-workers, talk to family, talk to health professionals.
My friend will find his own bright way, I am positive; find a rewarding, new niche with any one of his other myriad talents. I am proud of his self-awareness and strength of resolve. For the rest of us intending to stick it out in the arts but longing to make it better as we go, the following resources and links are invaluable to have on hand. For ourselves or to offer to somebody else, before it becomes critical. Save them to your contacts:
Beyond Blue | 1300 224 636 | beyondblue.org.au
For counselling and support. All calls and chats are one-on-one with a trained mental health professional, and completely confidential.
Support Act Wellbeing Helpline | 1800 959 500 | supportact.org.au/wellbeinghelpline
Support Act is an Australian charity which assists artists and music workers who are facing hardship due to illness, injury or some other crisis that impacts on their ability to work. It provides a sector-wide Wellbeing Helpline, staffed by clinicians with an understanding of the unique challenges of the performing arts industry. The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline is a free, confidential service, available 24/7 to anyone who works in the performing arts or music industry, and who does not have already have access to an Employment Assistance Program.
Arts Wellbeing Collective | artswellbeingcollective.com.au
An Arts Centre Melbourne initiative that comprises a consortium of arts and cultural organisations who work together to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the performing arts, enabling the performing arts to thrive. Practical resources including podcasts and meditations, workshops and sector initiatives all focusing on promoting positive mental health in the performing arts.
Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare | aspah.org.au
Free access to a growing series of interviews with various healthcare professionals to help artists and crew identify what kind of medical support would best suit them, a free directory service for healthcare professionals and a range of tip sheets to support artists.
Entertainment Assist | entertainmentassist.org.au
Entertainment Assist is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health in the Australian entertainment industry by commissioning research, for workplace and educational transformation and identifying support pathways for those in distress.
Live Performance Australia | liveperformance.com.au
Live Performance Australia is the peak body for Australia’s live performance industry.
Heads Up Campaign | headsup.org.au
A national campaign by Beyond Blue and the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance. Heads Up produces resources for businesses, managers, board members and employees.
Your local GP | healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-care-plan
Access to a Mental Health Plan.
Lifeline | 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
The Show Must Go On | theshowmustgoon.com.au
Ben Steel’s documentary film highlighting mental wellbeing in the entertainment industry. Candid interviews from across the entertainment industry. Screen creatives from in front of and behind the camera – actors, writers, producers, directors, cinematographers, editors; musicians, engineers, roadies, dancers, stage performers, artistic directors, educators, arts administrators, comedians, radio announcers et cetera. Watch for a limited time on ABC iview: https://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/show-must-go-on/?fbclid=IwAR1jASp1pcw-E2FE-g_OfZVqhKOj-a88m9tTZKMpHUNnlQJFdODNUtAieK0
The Wellness Roadshow | theshowmustgoon.com.au/wellness-roadshow
The Wellness Roadshow will visit all corners of Australia with the ability to reach a targeted audience of industry leaders, artists and students ready to enter their related industry. Upcoming events include Melbourne on Wednesday 13th and Adelaide on Tuesday 19th November 2019. See website for more listings.
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References:
[1] Entertainment Assist Index, 2019. The Entertainment Assist Organisation raises awareness about mental health in the Australian entertainment industry by commissioning research and making findings available on this site. URL: https://www.entertainmentassist.org.au/our-research (Accessed Nov 2019).
[2] Entertainment Assist Index, 2019.
[3] Entertainment Assist Index, 2019.
[4] The Show Must Go On Index, 2019. This is the site dedicated to Ben Steel’s documentary film investigating the tremendous toll the arts and entertainment industries appear to take on the mental health of workers. URL: https://www.theshowmustgoon.com.au (Accessed Nov 2019)