Wellbeing is the whole point of Working Smarter Guide.
Its aim is to help us manage long hours, overlapping work commitments and complex creative briefs. So working life is sustainable from a wellbeing perspective.
Research undertaken by Entertainment Assist, the national health charity advocating for greater awareness of mental health in the Australian entertainment industry, has revealed that we have ‘extensive mental health issues across the broad spectrum of the industry. This is sadly often a result of bullying or sexual abuse but also due to long or unrewarding working hours and a real or perceived lack of appreciation even after years of commitment.’
Working mindfully, respectfully and caring for the wellbeing of yourself and others in the workplace is crucial, and talking through our experiences is key to helping designers achieve a better balance of work, life and general wellness.
A nice place to start thinking practically about Wellbeing, if you like podcasts, is this episode of Theory of Creativity: Cultivating Wellbeing in the Arts with Tracy Margieson (from the Arts Wellbeing Collective at the Arts Centre Melbourne).
Key Links
Help is right on hand:
- Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
- Heads Up Campaign
- Headspace
- Your local GP | healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-care-plan
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
Industry-specific support:
- Support Act Wellbeing Helpline – 1800 959 500
- Arts Wellbeing Collective
- Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare
- Entertainment Assist
- Live Performance Australia
The APDG has further resources to help us look after ourselves and each other. Some of these resources are COVID-related, but many are good all-timers:
- ‘Don’t be afraid to reach out when you need to.’
- ‘Implement routines, especially when life is making it hard to do so!’
- ‘Recognise that you are not a machine and that you do need time to replenish your energy, or maybe you are but even then you still need time to “recharge”!’
- ‘Schedule mini-breaks and holidays into your working year, as a freelancer you need to be your own HR department and make sure you get a break/s’
- ‘Identify what makes you feel good and incorporate these activities into your life such as exercise, seeing friends, spending time outdoors’
- ‘Talk to someone. 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 coworkers, talk to family, talk to health professionals’
DISCLAIMER
The APDG makes its best efforts to make sure all information we post is correct, however Members use this information at their own risk. It is up to each individual to research the validity of resources they use. The APDG accepts no responsibility for information given in external links. Tips and services listed in this resource have been recommended by APDG designers, however their listing in this resource should not be construed as an endorsement by the APDG.