Introduction to mental health awareness for the creative industries

This free e-learning module is designed for anyone working in the creative industries who wants to develop their awareness of mental health. The creative industries include:

• Advertising and marketing
• Architecture
• Craft
• Design
• Film, TV, radio and photography
• IT, software and computer services
• Publishing
• Museums, galleries and libraries
• Music, performing and visual arts
• Animation and visual effects (VFX)
• Video games
• Heritage

By the end of this module, you will:

• Understand how the nature of working in the creative industries can affect mental health
• Identify how you can support your own mental wellbeing and to overcome industry-specific challenges that may prevent you caring for yourself
• Recognise the signs of worsening mental health and signs that you may need to seek support
• Understand how you can support colleagues in your working environment who may be struggling
• Recognise the resources and services that you can use to support yourself or others.

Content warning

This course contains material that may be triggering or sensitive.

If you feel that you need urgent support, the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day

• Telephone: 116 123
• Email: jo@samaritans.org
• Website: www.samaritans.org

The Samaritans provide confidential, non-judgmental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide.

Details of other organisations that offer information and support are provided at the end of the module.

Additional information

We recommend completing this module in one sitting. However, if you are not able to do this, your progress will be saved, and when you come back to finish you will be taken to the last screen you completed.

This module was created in collaboration with psychotherapist and experienced trainer Sarah McCaffrey, founder of Solas Mind. It was developed with support from:

• The BFI, awarding National Lottery funds as part of its Future Film Skills strategy
• The ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund, with contributions from high-end television productions
• The ScreenSkills Television Skills Funds, with contributions from the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and Channel 5

Arts Council England supported the launch of the online learning platform and the adaptation of this module for the creative industries.