Never Not Creative, UnLtd and Everymind have partnered to conduct the second major study into the mental health and wellbeing of the media, marketing and creative industry in Australia.
The study follows the Mentally Healthy 2018 survey, completed by more than 1,800, which identified that people in the media, marketing and creative sectors are 20% more likely to show symptoms of depression and 29% more likely to show symptoms of anxiety than the general population.
This year’s study will also investigate the causes of stress, coping mechanisms, preferred support methods and readiness for supporting others with mental ill-health in the workplace.
Since the 2018 study, Never Not Creative and UnLtd partnered to launch the Mentally Healthy Change Group, a group of industry volunteers working to tackle mental health issues within the industry.
So far, the group has launched the mentally-healthy.org website to provide easy access to information around mental health in our industry, created the Heart On My Sleeve Industry Leaders story book to encourage people to share their personal stories, and introduced the Industry Minimum Standards for Mental Health.
Nina Nyman, chief marketing officer of UnLtd and co-chair of the Mentally Healthy Change Group, says there has been a huge increase in discussion around mental health in the industry since the 2018 study.
“Through the work of the Mentally Healthy Change Group, we’ve launched a number of initiatives aimed at smashing the stigma around mental health and setting standards within the workplace,” Nyman says.
“The second edition of our Mentally Healthy survey is an opportunity to see how those numbers have changed and to understand the current state of mental health in our industry.
“We will also delve into new areas to explore how people are dealing with mental ill-health in the workplace, what the main causes of stress are and what kind of support methods actually make a difference. The findings will help guide us on how we can best continue to support the industry.”
The research is conducted by Everymind, a national institute dedicated to reducing mental ill-health and suicide.
“Everymind is dedicated to increasing understanding of mental health and suicide through translational research, so it is important to follow up the 2018 survey with a snap shot of mental health across the industry this year,” says Everymind acting program manager for mental health and research Dr Sally Fitzpatrick.
“It enables us to maintain the currency of our data and also add new questions around alcohol use and coping strategies.
“Since 2018, the media, marketing and creative industry has put in place initiatives designed to create awareness and support for mental health. In order to add to the evidence base in this area, it is vital that we evaluate – and seek to measure – changes in perceptions and attitudes based on those industry efforts.”
The survey is launching this week, with results to be released in the autumn. Everyone aged 18 and over working in the creative, media or marketing industries is encouraged to take part and give insight into how our workforce is faring in 2020.
Andy Wright, founder of Never Not Creative and co-chair of the Mentally Healthy Change Group, requested that everyone participate in the survey.
“2019 has been a huge year for recognition of the challenge we face. We’re more aware and gradually becoming better equipped,” Wright says.
“If anything this survey is even more essential. In 2018, we identified the problem. In 2020, with the help of everyone in the industry we can drill deeper into causes and coping mechanisms. It’s a huge journey, but this will help us to take another big leap forward. Grab a (soft) drink and put aside 15 minutes to complete it – for yourself and for everyone you love working with in our industry.”
The survey is open .
All responses will be anonymous, strictly confidential and only personally de-identified data will be reported.
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