In February the Film and TV Charity published the findings from their Looking Glass survey, revealing concerning findings around the mental health of those working in UK film, television and cinema. We caught up with the charity's CEO, Marcus Ryder, to find out more about the survey, it's findings and what measures can be taken to improve the health of our industry's workforce.
What do the Looking Glass survey findings tell us about the health of the industry’s workforce?
On the face of it, the findings are obviously incredibly worrying, especially in relation to the shocking figures around suicidal ideation and the number of people considering or even taking steps to leave the industry due to their mental health. The results need to be viewed as a wake-up call to leaders that, even in the face of pressures they themselves are feeling, they’ve got to hold their nerve and continue to implement change. If they don’t – if we don’t all act together to press on and change industry culture, conditions, and our capability to support, then we risk an exodus of talent that threatens the very fabric of the industry.
At the same time, though, the results also tell us that change is possible. Perceptions of industry culture have improved. The numbers around bullying and harassment, although still ridiculously high compared to national averages, are coming down. And productions where our Whole Picture Toolkit have been used show improved self-ratings of mental health. All of this should act as a clarion call to the industry that change is possible. Now is not the time to waver when it comes to a collective commitment to making life behind the scenes better.
Why do you think the results differ so dramatically from the general workforce (eg. 30% feeling lonely vs national average of 8%)
A number of reasons are at play here. The industry has always been demanding, and passionate, creative people who love their work don’t necessarily mind that. But the expectations laid upon too many workers are too much – long hours, often away from home, too often dealing with conditions the wider working population just wouldn’t – it can be incredibly isolating. Add to that the pressure freelancers face – we know from our own research that many are in financially precarious positions already, let alone if they spoke out or said enough’s enough – and it’s not hard to see why things are so much worse within our industry than without.
Why do you think there’s been an increase in negative responses since the previous survey?
We recognise the importance of what we call in the report ‘macro challenges.’ The impact of the production downturn, the impact of changes we’ve seen across the industry as it adjusts its operating model, the economic and sociological effect of the last few years – these are all contributing factors to the way our workforce is feeling so it’s perhaps not surprising that in many cases things have got worse. It is important to hold on to the positives though, as I’ve said – as they show that change is possible.
How can these findings be used by industry as a turning point?
Again, behind the headlines, it’s clear that collective action can make a difference. The Whole Picture Toolkit works to support mental health on productions – so the industry needs to get behind it! We’re incredibly excited about the work we’re doing with our pan-industry group, which represents the full spectrum of the production space, to develop mental health standards which will enable the Toolkit to grow and be scaled. That group came together even before the Looking Glass evidence supported the case for those standards, and now it should be powered by that evidence.
What can employers do to help support crew?
Many already are – but every employer should be walking the walk and utilising resources like our Whole Picture Toolkit to make incredibly simple but profoundly effective changes to for employees. Every employer should be signposting to our in the moment support services – help with mental health, help with financial strain or with bullying and harassment, but also just a place to turn and a conduit to the wider film and TV community. And every employer should work with us – and with the other brilliant organisations like ScreenSkills – to really make sure we’re addressing industry culture and conditions, and enabling managers and leaders to have the proper capability to support their workers.
What tools or resources are in place that freelancers can access?
Our Support Line is available 24/7, 365 days a year. You can talk to one of our advisers at any time, about anything at all. You don’t have to wait until you’re facing a crisis, they can just listen if that’s what you need. But they can also give you access to free, accredited counselling if that’s what you need – far quicker than through the NHS. Our website is the gateway to all of our support, whether that’s financial guidance and assistance, appointments with our brilliant Bullying Advisers or our Work and Wellbeing Advisers. And our community support means we’re constantly signposting peer support and highlighting community groups who can help combat the isolation and loneliness we know many freelancers are facing. We’d encourage anyone – in any role – to spend the time exploring how we can help, because I’m sure that in most cases, we can.
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