The Film & TV Charity is inviting anyone working in the industry to share experiences of the pandemic in its second mental health survey.
The charity’s first Looking Glass survey, launched in 2019 and published in February last year, presented a mental health emergency: almost 90% of the 9,000 screen sector staff and freelancers who took part reported problems and more than half said they had considered suicide.
It highlighted concerns such as bullying, anxiety, self-isolation and a lack of control over working hours, with some individuals resorting to alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms.
With the pandemic causing unprecedented disruption on global health and jobs on the line after a lot of productions ground to standstill, exacerbated by varying tiers of government support depending on employment status, this year’s study will me a crucial barometer into a challenging year.
Last year’s report led to the roll-out the £3m two-year ‘Whole Picture’ programme, which has supported community grants, the Bullying Pathway services and bolstering the charity’s online health community and advice line.
In its sights this year is a programme of peer support and self-help, mental health training and production protocols.
Staff and freelancers can complete the survey here
