COVID-19: Shining a Light on the Mental Health of Entertainment Workers
Mental health is still widely considered to be a taboo topic, even more so amongst many areas of entertainment. In normal conditions, it has been reported that technicians and stagehands have some of the highest rates of depression and anxiety in the country. With COVID-19 then shutting down 95% of the entire industry, one would think this would only get worse, but that's not necessarily the case.
My research shows that the shutting down of work allowed some workers to better their well being, let that be mentally and or physically. While there was an industry wide spike in anxiety and depression symptoms, some workers were able to use the time out of work for self care they normally aren't afforded time for. For things such as Doctors appointments, therapy sessions, regular exercise, healthier eating, even things as simply as re-evaluating their previous work/life balance.
What does this say about our industry?
What does it say that an entire industry can disappear and workers can improve themselves? My research paper, attempts to answer that question.
For access to my paper or more information about my research, please contact me here:
My research shows that the shutting down of work allowed some workers to better their well being, let that be mentally and or physically. While there was an industry wide spike in anxiety and depression symptoms, some workers were able to use the time out of work for self care they normally aren't afforded time for. For things such as Doctors appointments, therapy sessions, regular exercise, healthier eating, even things as simply as re-evaluating their previous work/life balance.
What does this say about our industry?
What does it say that an entire industry can disappear and workers can improve themselves? My research paper, attempts to answer that question.
For access to my paper or more information about my research, please contact me here:
Selected Sources from my research:
Huneycutt, B. (2019). 2019 Industry Survey—Summary of Key Findings. Behind the Scenes. https://wp.behindthescenescharity.org/mental-health-and-suicide-prevention-initiative/2019-industry-survey-summary-of-key-findings/
Eynde, J. van den, Fisher, A., Sonn, C., & Assist, E. (2015). Pride, passion & pitfalls: Working in the Australian entertainment industry (Australia) [Report]. Entertainment Assist. https://apo.org.au/node/53171
CDC. (2020, March). Worker suicide: CDC study explores which industries, occupations have the highest rates. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/19516-worker-suicide-cdc-study-explores-which-industries-occupations-have-the-highest-rates
Kumar, A., & Nayar, K. R. (2021). COVID 19 and its mental health consequences. Journal of Mental Health, 30(1), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2020.1757052
Maddaus, B. L., Gene, Lang, B., & Maddaus, G. (2020, April 29). Hollywood’s Great Depression: Meet the Entertainment Workers Left Jobless by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Variety. https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/hollywood-coronavirus-entertainment-industry-unemployment-jobs-1234592106/
Huneycutt, B. (2019). 2019 Industry Survey—Summary of Key Findings. Behind the Scenes. https://wp.behindthescenescharity.org/mental-health-and-suicide-prevention-initiative/2019-industry-survey-summary-of-key-findings/
Eynde, J. van den, Fisher, A., Sonn, C., & Assist, E. (2015). Pride, passion & pitfalls: Working in the Australian entertainment industry (Australia) [Report]. Entertainment Assist. https://apo.org.au/node/53171
CDC. (2020, March). Worker suicide: CDC study explores which industries, occupations have the highest rates. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/19516-worker-suicide-cdc-study-explores-which-industries-occupations-have-the-highest-rates
Kumar, A., & Nayar, K. R. (2021). COVID 19 and its mental health consequences. Journal of Mental Health, 30(1), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2020.1757052
Maddaus, B. L., Gene, Lang, B., & Maddaus, G. (2020, April 29). Hollywood’s Great Depression: Meet the Entertainment Workers Left Jobless by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Variety. https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/hollywood-coronavirus-entertainment-industry-unemployment-jobs-1234592106/