In 2016, the “Working in the Australian Entertainment Industry: Final Report” was published after research was collated by Victoria University and then Entertainment Assist (van den Eynde, Fisher & Son, 2016). Incorporating individuals with various roles and responsibilities in the industry, they found these prevalence rates for moderate and severe mental illness symptoms:
15% of Australian Entertainment Industry professionals experienced moderate to severe depression and 44% experienced moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety.
This research is now four years old and may not reflect the statistic now. This report also only highlights moderate and severe symptoms, and doesn’t highlight milder symptoms that are still relevant.
What are your thoughts on this statistic? Do you think they’ve improved or worsened in the last four years?
In the midst of a global pandemic, artists have been hit financially and creatively, which may have a drastic impact on mental health. But not only that, we are globally in a novel situation where our body is unsure of how to cope, and therefore our mentality is also in flux with the daily changes in our situation.
If you are feeling unmotivated, unproductive, and upset, IT IS NATURAL AND IT IS OK! This is not a time to judge ourselves or our actions, nor compare ourselves to our past selves that were in an entirely different environment.
Take a breath, acknowledge your thoughts, and then let them go. Listen to your mind and your body, and use their needs to guide your day-to-day practice. We need to connect with ourselves during this time, not cast blame or judgement.
Regardless, I am proud of you and everything you are doing, and am sending lots of love and positive vibes to you all.
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