ScreenSkills supports The Film and TV Charity’s ‘Let’s Reset’ campaign

ScreenSkills has highlighted a range of practical resources to support the new Let’s Reset campaign from The Film and TV Charity designed to create mentally healthy work environments.

The Film and TV Charity campaign calls on those in positions of power to take action and commit to better ways of working as new research indicates almost four-fifths of workers in film and TV believe the intensity of work is having a negative impact on their mental health. 

Let’s Reset, which will run for the next 12 months, is designed to tackle the stigma still associated with mental health by challenging common preconceptions, improving attitudes and behaviours across the industry. It will also champion the benefits of healthier, more supported and inclusive working environments, including greater creativity, diversity, and retention of talent.

Alex Pumfrey, CEO of The Film & TV Charity, said: “Unhealthy working hours, bad practices, bullying, racism, harassment, and ableism are too common in an industry we all love, and all of us have a role to play in speaking up to create change. It’s time to come together and reset by putting our mental health centre-stage and committing to changing a culture that impacts us all.”

Seetha Kumar, CEO, ScreenSkills, said: “Action not words will be critical to getting the change we all want to see on improved mental health and wellbeing and a better, fairer working environment. We offer a range of free training that can give people tools to be better managers, address unconscious bias and tackle bullying and harassment and the suite of resources is being constantly updated. We urge people to sign up and take practical steps to make a difference.”

Organisations and businesses across the sector are today pledging to support and amplify a frank and open conversation about the meaningful changes needed to support mental health and wellbeing.

In 2020, the charity’s Looking Glass Survey showed as many as nine in 10 people working behind the scenes in film and TV had experienced a mental health problem – well above the UK average. High incidences of bullying, racism and harassment have intensified the situation, with an update indicating the situation has worsened.

The Let’s Reset campaign seeks to show individuals working in film and TV that the commitment to improving the industry’s mental health and wellbeing comes from the top down, with senior leaders showcasing their support for the campaign and pledging to:

• Directly address underlying causes of poor mental health
• Encourage open discussion to challenge unhealthy behaviours
• Put specific support in place, including clear signposting of support services
• Highlight the work they are doing and build on work of other organisations including ScreenSkills, Bectu, Bafta, BFI and the Coalition for Change.

Current ScreenSkills resources that may be helpful in improving mental health and creating a better, safer work culture include:

• Tackling harassment and bullying at work
• Addressing unconscious bias: basic awareness in the workplace e-learning
• Leadership and management essentials for HETV freelancers
• Free leadership and management training for HETV Skills Fund contributors
• Mental health awareness for HETV freelancers
• Resilience training 
• Mental health awareness for HoDs in unscripted
• Understanding and managing stress
• Disability awareness 
• Fair recruitment and inclusivity in the workplace training
• Mental health awareness workshop for HoDs in animation and children’s TV
• Equality and inclusion essentials

For full details, go to the directory of training and opportunities which is updated regularly. Bespoke sessions to support HETV production crews across mental health and leadership skills are also available through the website. Unscripted TV offers a slate of short courses including a strand, Your Life at Work, aimed at helping those in unscripted TV stay healthy, happy and productive at work.

Most training is free for users. Free e-learning modules in mental health awareness and inclusive hiring will be launched in October.

Business can find out how to support the Let’s Reset campaign and help to shape the future of TV and film by visiting here. Individuals can also find access to all of the charity’s support services, including the brand-new resources designed specifically for freelancers.

Anyone working in the film and TV industry who needs support can call the 24/7 Support Line on 0800 054 0000 to ask for professional advice.