The Film and TV Charity has released the findings from its latest Looking Glass report into mental health and wellbeing in film, TV, and cinema.
Seven years and five surveys on from 2019’s first Looking Glass research, the report provides “encouraging evidence that change is possible when the industry acts together,” but the report also shows that “serious and widespread mental health challenges” continue across film, TV and cinema.
The report states that one of the “clearest signs of progress” is the continued fall in experiences of bullying, harassment and discrimination, from 53% in 2021 to 41% in 2024 and 37% in 2026.
The 2026 Looking Glass report also shows that since 2024, self-ratings of poor or very poor mental health have fallen from 35% to 31%. 56% say working in the industry negatively affects their mental health, down from 63%. High levels of loneliness have decreased from 30% to 25%. Suicidal ideation over the preceding 12 months has fallen from 30% to 23%.
Despite some progress in the industry, it’s not being felt equally. Poor mental health among freelancers has fallen from 38% to 31%, while the gap with full-time employees has narrowed, with 29% of full-time staff reporting poor mental health in 2026 compared with 25% in 2024.
However, 62% have considered leaving the industry because of their mental health. Just 13% believe film and TV is a mentally healthy industry.
Marcus Ryder, CEO of the Film and TV Charity, said: “The evidence from the Looking Glass Survey gives us reason for hope, but not for complacency. Our data clearly shows that collective action can drive real progress, but it also shows that too many people working behind the scenes are still struggling with the pressures our industry is too often placing on their mental health.
“Film and TV is an interconnected industry, where decisions made in one part can affect people throughout it. That interconnectedness is one of our strengths, but it can also make it too easy for responsibility for change to fall between the gaps. If we want to create a mentally healthy industry, responsibility must be shared, and everyone has a part to play.
“The fact that a single percentage-point shift can represent up to 2,500 people experiencing the industry differently shows why every improvement matters. The challenge now is to build on that progress, applying the same collective focus to other issues affecting mental health and wellbeing, embracing the Principles for Mentally Healthy Productions and turning collective action into lasting change.”
Jon Creamer
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