If you work in media in the western world, chances are your mental health isn’t great according to a new survey of workers in the U.K. film and TV industry.
Variety reports that a mixed-method survey entitled ‘The Looking Glass’, sampled over 9,000 industry professionals and calculated its results from evidence review, workforce survey, qualitative interviews and consultations.
Those results? Close to 90% of off-screen professionals experience mental health issues on the job, a much higher incidence than the nationwide average of 65% of those who struggle with mental health at work.
The numbers get even more disturbing – approximately 55% of film and TV workers surveyed have contemplated suicide, compared with a national average of 20%. Film and TV professionals are also three times more likely to self-harm.
So what’s the cause of this? The biggest contributors are said to be bullying, long hours and poor work-life balance. 12.5% of film & TV industry professionals work in excess of 60 hours per week, compared to the 2.5% national average.
78% of respondees struggle to achieve a healthy work-life balance as opposed to 27% of people in other jobs. Furthermore a whopping 84% of film and TV professionals having experienced or witnessed bullying or harassment at work. Those in post-production industries in particular also dealt with issues of social isolation, and alcohol and drug dependency.
As a result of the study, a two-year action plan entitled The Whole Picture Program is being drawn up to offer enhanced 24/7 Film and TV Support Line, peer-to-peer support and a behaviour change campaign in the first year.
