Lights, Camera, take Action on work-related stress this World Mental Health Day
This World Mental Health Day, we’re welcoming three new partners to our Working Minds campaign, which encourages workplaces to take action on work-related stress and mental health.
New Working Minds partners for the entertainment & leisure sector
The three new partners are the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT), the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA), and The Mark Milsome Foundation. They join the 23 other Working Minds partners from across different industries to raise awareness of the mental and physical health risks associated with workplace stress, and the support available.
All three new partners are in the entertainment and leisure sector, a fast-paced and ever-changing industry, with many people self-employed, freelancing, or on short-term contracts. This can lead to uncertainty and long, unsociable hours. Only 11% of people in the film and TV industry described it as a mentally healthy place to work in a recent survey.
World Mental Health Day has been celebrated for over 30 years, and whilst awareness and acceptance of stress and mental health may be increasing, action – particularly prevention – is not. Stress, depression and anxiety are the number one cause of work-related ill-health in Great Britain.
The law requires all employers to take steps to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health in the workplace. No matter the size or type of business, employers have a legal duty to assess the risks of stress and mental ill-health and take action to reduce them.
Elizabeth Goodwill, head of the work-related stress and mental health policy team at HSE, said:
“Small actions done routinely can make a big difference to how stress and mental health issues are recognised and responded to at work. Employers should regularly check in with individuals and teams about the pressures they’re facing and agree on actions to help prevent and address them.
Some of the most common issues are workload pressures, tight deadlines, too much responsibility, and a lack of managerial support. Taking action doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be small things that make a big difference, like having regular catch-ups to discuss workload and how the team can share the load, or helping to prioritise work and deadlines.
Taking an organisational approach that tackles the root cause of work-related stress is key and can help the whole team rather than just an individual, and you may be able to take one action that helps a number of people.”
Help is available
If you or someone you know needs help or support, reach out and ask how they are feeling and coping. There are tools in the Working Minds campaign and sources of support out there that can help:
• download a risk assessment template and see some examples
• download a Talking Toolkit to help structure conversations
• print out, share, or display our campaign resources round up
• print out, share, or display our Working Minds 5 steps poster
• get your personalised mental health action plan, with tips and advice to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing from Every Mind Matters (NHS).
And don’t forget to sign up to support HSE’s Working Minds campaign to help drive positive change across Britain’s workplaces.
Mental health resources for the entertainment and leisure sector
- Film & TV Charity: Confidential and free support for anyone working behind the scenes in film, TV, or cinema. Support Line 0800 054 0000.
- The Mark Milsome Foundation – Film and TV Online Safety Passport Course (90 minutes)
- Association of Event Venues – Heads up: your well-being tool kit
- Read the Blog from Mig Burgess, teacher, Creative Designer, and Production Technician on her summer commitment to learn more about work-related stress. Mig’s also produced a guidance note for The Association of British Theatre Technicians.
Work-related stress is a serious problem, but it can be managed. By taking action, employers and employees can create a more mentally healthy workplace for everyone.
On this World Mental Health Day, let’s all commit to taking action on work-related stress.
About ABTT
The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) is a charity and membership organisation that sets and upholds standards in technical excellence, safety and compliance for theatre and live performance:
Mig Burgess, The Association of British Theatre Technicians co-chair, says:
“The ABTT are delighted to join the HSE’s working minds campaign as a partner. As an association we are committed to upholding standards in technical excellence, safety, and compliance for live performance, and partnering with the HSE and its working minds campaign formalises our commitment to promote better practices around well-being and mental health in the workplace.”
About BALPPA
Paul Kelly, Chief Executive of The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions says:
“Mental health must be a top priority for our industry, especially following a few very difficult years for staff and customers. As an association, we are committed to providing the information, resources and tools that our members need – supporting them to support their teams.”
About The Mark Milsome Foundation
The Mark Milsome Foundation is a charitable organisation supporting those at the beginning of their careers in film and television while educating and promoting modern health and safety practices in the industry. It was set up in memory of British cinematographer Mark Milsome, who was killed while filming a car stunt in 2017.
Samantha Wainstein, The Mark Milsome Foundation chair, says:
“At the heart of our mission is the commitment to make film and TV sets safe for all cast and crew, by advocating for better health and safety practice across the industry and collaborating with partners to raise awareness about key issues that need to be addressed. A fundamental part of our advocacy is emphasising the importance of wellbeing and happiness on set, as this plays an integral role in ensuring the safety of both cast and crew.”
