Film and TV Charity Unveils Landmark Mental Health Principles for UK Industry
The Film and TV Charity has introduced a groundbreaking set of principles aimed at safeguarding mental health, marking what is described as a watershed moment for the UK creative sector's duty of care to its production community. This initiative follows a survey revealing that 35% of sector workers reported poor or very poor mental health.
Collaboration and Industry Support
The new principles are the result of a collaboration between the charity and more than 45 industry organisations, including all public service broadcasters, major studios, leading streamers, production companies, and trade unions. This broad coalition underscores the widespread recognition of mental health challenges within the film and television industry.
Survey Findings Highlight Urgent Need
The charity's Looking Glass survey found a significant increase in mental health struggles across the UK film and TV industry. Key findings include:
- 35% of respondents described their mental health as poor or very poor.
- 30% reported experiencing suicidal thoughts in the previous 12 months.
- 63% said their work had a negative effect on their mental health.
- 64% had considered leaving the industry due to mental health concerns.
These statistics highlight the pressing need for systemic change to address mental wellbeing in this high-pressure sector.
Core Principles for Mental Health Support
The nine principles outline core actions for productions to embed mental health support positively and routinely. They include:
- Creating a culture that supports wellbeing.
- Fostering respectful, inclusive relationships across teams.
- Managing the impact of difficult subject matter.
- Managing workload effectively.
Marcus Ryder, chief executive of the Film and TV Charity, emphasized that this guidance represents the biggest industry initiative to address mental health in film and television in a generation. He noted that mental health outcomes in the sector are consistently worse than national averages, attributing this to systemic issues rather than individual resilience.
Practical Implementation and Legal Grounding
Ryder explained that the principles encourage thinking about mental health in the same practical way productions approach physical safety. This may involve identifying stress risks during planning, preparing for emotionally challenging content, and establishing clear processes for reporting bullying or inappropriate behaviour.
While the principles are not regulations, they are grounded in existing legal duties and best practices, such as UK health and safety law and international standards like ISO 45003. Implementation will vary, with some partners encouraging adoption and others embedding the principles into commissioning frameworks or production requirements.
Addressing Unique Industry Challenges
Ryder highlighted that until now, there has been no single, industry-backed framework that translates broader workplace guidance into practical, production-specific advice. Film and television production environments are unique, being freelance, fast-moving, and often high-pressure, making generic guidance less effective.
Sara Putt, Bafta chair and Film and TV Charity chair, added that instability in freelance jobs, lack of training access, and production pressures are driving a talent drain and impacting mental health profoundly.
Industry Endorsement and Future Impact
Kate Phillips, chief content officer at the BBC, called this a potential watershed moment for the UK creative sector's duty of care. She encouraged BBC teams and third-party suppliers to prioritize the principles to benefit workers across the industry, aiming for a stronger, healthier, and more sustainable sector.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing mental health within the film and TV industry, promoting a healthier work environment for all involved.
