Prioritising Mental Health in the Creative Industries: Where to Find Support
For Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the commitment across the creative industries to prioritise wellbeing, open up conversations, and help us support one another.
A career in the creative industries can be amazing but it also comes with unique pressures. Thankfully, it is home to some of the most collaborative, resilient, and compassionate communities.
We have compiled a collection of trusted, industry-focused mental health support services that can offer guidance, reassurance, and help – not just during this week of awareness.
The Film and TV Charity – 24/7 Support and Wellbeing Tools
At the heart of mental health support for the industry is The Film and TV Charity, which offers a wide range of resources tailored for people working across film, TV, and cinema.
Their 24/7 Support Line (0800 054 0000) is a vital first step for anyone looking for someone to talk to - offering free, confidential advice from trained professionals at any hour.
They also provide:
Free counselling and therapy grants
Tools for better financial wellbeing
Career coaching and resilience support
Anti-bullying and dignity at work resources
The annual Looking Glass Survey, helping to shape real industry change
👉 Visit thefilmtvcharity.org.uk
The BRIT Trust – Funding Mental Health Through Music
The BRIT Trust is the music industry’s leading charity, working to promote education and wellbeing through the power of music. Backed by revenues from The BRIT Awards and other music events, the Trust supports a wide range of organisations that champion mental health and personal development.
They fund initiatives including:
Music Support, which provides mental health and addiction services to industry professionals
Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity
The BRIT School, nurturing creative talent in a supportive environment
Mind and other mental health partners, through direct grants and collaborative projects
The BRIT Trust plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in creating a music industry that is not only artistically vibrant but emotionally resilient.
👉 Learn more at brittrust.co.uk
Bectu – Championing Healthier Workplaces
As a union for media and entertainment professionals, Bectu plays a key role in advocating for fair treatment and safe working environments across the industry.
They offer:
Mental health awareness training
Advice on work-life balance, burnout, and safe hours
Support around bullying, rights, and conflict resolution
Guides for freelancers navigating workplace wellbeing
Their resources help build workplaces where care and respect are at the centre.
Minds in Film – Promoting Mental Health Awareness on Set
Minds in Film is a brilliant grassroots initiative working to bring mental wellbeing to the forefront of production culture. Their goal is to create emotionally safe spaces for cast and crew, and to encourage honest, stigma-free dialogue.
They offer:
Workshops for production teams and crew
Mental health signposting tailored to film environments
A supportive online community
Minds in Film helps ensure that compassion and communication are as much a part of the production as any other department.
NABS – Supporting the Advertising, Media, and Marketing Industries
NABS is a UK charity dedicated to supporting professionals in advertising, media, and marketing. They offer a range of services tailored to the unique challenges of these sectors, including: NABS
Emotional support and career guidance
Confidential coaching and therapy referrals
Workshops and webinars on mental health topics
Financial assistance for those in need
NABS is actively involved in Mental Health Awareness Week, providing resources and events to promote wellbeing in the industry.
👉 Learn more at nabs.org.uk
ArtsMinds – A Hub for Creative Professionals
ArtsMinds, created by Equity in collaboration with key partners, offers a wealth of mental health and wellbeing support for those in the performing arts.
It features:
Guidance for managing emotional health
Signposting for crisis support, trauma, and addiction
Information on financial support, housing, and legal help
It’s an invaluable platform for anyone working in live or recorded performance who’s looking for tailored, sensitive support.
Inside Matters – Mental Health in Football and Beyond
Inside Matters is the Premier League’s annual campaign focused on mental health awareness, encouraging players, fans, staff, and communities to speak up, check in, and prioritise wellbeing. Launched in support of Mental Health Awareness Week, the campaign highlights the power of conversation in tackling stigma around mental health in sport and wider society.
The initiative includes:
Club-led activities and matchday campaigns across the Premier League
Support for fans and communities through club foundations and wellbeing partnerships
Player and manager voices sharing personal stories to normalise mental health conversations
Collaborations with organisations like Mind, Samaritans, and CALM to extend support beyond the pitch
Inside Matters reminds us that mental health affects us all – and talking about it is a sign of strength, not weakness.
👉 Explore the campaign at premierleague.com/insidematters
Mind – Tools for Mental Health at Work
While Mind supports people across many sectors, their Mental Health at Work hub features a brilliant toolkit created specifically for the creative industries - with tips and templates built around the unique challenges of freelance and production life.
Their resources include:
Self-care ideas and daily check-ins
Mental health action plan templates
Tips for team leaders and line managers
It’s practical, easy to access, and built for real-life working scenarios.
👉 Access the toolkit at mentalhealthatwork.org.uk
What happens next?
If you found these resources helpful, please share them with your team, friends or networks.
And if there are any resources we should add to this resource please send them to lauren.kenny@handle.co.uk.
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About Handle Recruitment
We opened the doors in 1978 and built our reputation in the music industry. We quickly realised that a great brand is not always a household name. A great brand is something people connect with, not just a place they work. Somewhere that helps them become better at what they do. It could be a record label, it could be in media, it could be a tech start-up.
Supporting Great People in Marketing | Finance | HR | Office Support | Sales | Legal | Event Operations | Post-Production.
The Talent Solutions we provide, Permanent, Temporary and Interim Recruitment | People Consultancy | Outsourced Freelancer Payroll & Compliance.
The Industries we support: Music | Film | TV | Entertainment | Fashion | Live Events | Sport | Publishing | Post-production.