Today is World Mental Health day, and as we head into more lockdown restrictions and our situation as creatives becomes ever more precarious, out mental wellbeing is imperative.
We are not heading down an easy path and kindness to ourselves is more important than ever.
Below are some resources that may be of use at this time, or may be of use to someone you know.
You are not alone in this.
HELPLINES
SANE UK are a charity providing guidance for anyone affected by mental illness. They have a helpline as well as resources on their website. Vist Sane for more information and guidance.
There are many changes and new realities we are adapting to, which can mean anxieties and phobias being amplified at this time. AnxietyUk specialise in providing information resources to help with this. You can visit for more information here.
Papyrus is a charity for the prevention of young suicide. They have a helpline and resources for young people in need of help. Call: 0800 068 41 41. Open weekdays 9am-10pm, weekends & bank holidays 2pm-10pm Visit their website here for more resources
CALM. Leading a movement against suicide. Open to all, they also have campaigns for males facing mental health struggles. Call: 0800 58 58 58. The helpline and webchat is open to all and can be accessed 5pm – Midnight every day, 365 days a year. Or visit CALM.
The Theatre Helpline provide support to people working in the theatre industry. It's free (from mobiles and landlines), it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round. Call: 0800 915 4617 Or visit the website here for more information.
Eventwell are a social enterprise offering resources to those within the events industry. They have an Infoline, which is an information and signposting service.
It is open open 9am – 10pm (BST) 9am-5pm (EDT), Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays).
You can also contact via email and WhatsApp. For more information visit the site here.
The Samaritans are online and on the phone 24/7 365 days a year. Whatever you're going through a Samaritan will face it with you. You can call 116 123 or visit here.
The NHS also has a comprehensive A-Z list of mental health charities and their contact details which you can find here.
WORKSHOPS AND RESOURCES
Members of BECTU can access a range of vocational training programmes, these include
personal wellbeing and Supporting mental health at work.
If you are a BECTU member you can find out more about the timetable of sessions here.
The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine has a range of services to help support the medical needs of those in the performing arts. From free clinics, information resources and a practitioner directory, they are a good resource if you may be struggling with any health situations.
To find out more about what they do, follow the link here.
Kooth is an online mental health and wellbeing community for children and young people from the ages of 10-25.
Supported by Liverpool Council and Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group, it is anonymous and free.
They offer resources, discussion boards, the chance to talk to one of their team and a journal section in order to be able to track and reflect on how things are going.
To find out more information and to register, click here.
They do also offer services to students, adults and employers. if you wish to look into it a bit further you can do so here.
Kaivalya Plays is a Delhi-based collective of independent theatre practitioners.
With a strong focus on improvisation, one of their current projects is improv for wellness, which are sessions conducted online.
You can find info about the improv for wellness project here and also sign up to get information about upcoming sessions.
Life Rooms is a free NHS service who provide a safe and welcoming space to meet others, access opportunities and learn about community resources. Their services are available to anyone.
With the five Life Room having to close due to the pandemic, sessions and services have moved online.
To find out more and what help is available, follow the link here.
It seems that a staple of many creatives is yoga with Adriene! She does online yoga sessions including a 30 day at home series.
Many have found having the routine and also the physical element to it helpful, so we thought we would share the link on here.
Although not exhaustive, we hope there are some things on here, which you may be able to utilise.
Much Love
MFTA x