The Film and TV Charity has relaunched its Looking Glass Survey, two years after the 2019 research project uncovered a “mental health emergency” in the industry.
The survey has been reissued after the impact of the pandemic and the continued reports of systemic discrimination, bullying and harassment.
The results will enable the charity to track trends and change over time, adapt the support services it offers, and influence the £3m Whole Picture Programme that was launched as an urgent response to the outcomes of the original research.
To complete the survey and share it with colleagues, head here
In 2019, the Looking Glass research captured the experiences of more than 9,000 people working in the industry, uncovering an uncommonly high prevalence of mental health problems – 87% reported having experienced poor mental health, far higher than the 65% UK national average, and more than half (55%) reported having considered ending their life. One of the report’s most serious findings was a working culture in which 82% of respondents had experienced or witnessed bullying behaviour.
As a result of the original research, the Film and TV Charity is developing a range of interventions. In March, the charity launched a suite of Bullying Pathway services, designed to offer expert guidance and resources to support individuals who have witnessed or experienced bullying, harassment or discrimination.
The charity is also piloting a Toolkit for Mentally Healthy Productions with a range of small and large production companies, a flexible set of guidelines that puts wellbeing at the centre of all productions made in the UK, and later this year will launch a flagship behaviour change campaign.
The charity also runs the free and confidential 24-hour Film and TV Support Line, providing specialist mental health, legal and financial guidance and aid.
Alex Pumfrey, CEO, The Film and TV Charity, said: “Our 2019 Looking Glass survey confirmed what many already knew – that people working in the film, TV and cinema industry are disproportionately more likely to suffer from poor mental health. With the events of the last 12 months having increased the pressure for many, we are asking every colleague from across the industry complete the survey again, or for the first time. As well as acting as a crucial barometer of the wellbeing of our workforce, it will help us to design the support services people need, and will contribute to the delivery of meaningful, systemic change that we know will benefit everyone.”
Jon Creamer
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