The culture sector has a unique power to bring people together. To entertain, inspire and unite, regardless of age, gender, race and opinion. From the violinist and composer to the musician and makeup artist. From the wardrobe assistant and theatre director to the festival programmer and gallery exhibitor. Those that work within culture possess a creative skillset distinct from other industries. The sector is built upon the artistic individual and the creative expression when bought together as a collective. 

This week, in Mental Health Awareness Week we look at the impact working within the culture sector has on mental health. How, as a sector, we must recognise the unique situations we find ourselves in and what as employers (and humans) we can do to support one another. 

 In a world either still amidst or slowly recovering from a global pandemic - it is clear that the culture sector has been hit harder than others with festivals experiencing seismic changes and uncertainty. Statistics released by Mind in a pre-pandemic world state one in four people in the UK suffer with a mental health issue each year (1). For those working in a creative role - the likelihood of experiencing a mental health issue is three times greater than that of another industry (2). Financial insecurity, unreliable working contracts and consistent knockbacks alongside antisocial working hours and a government that consistently undervalues the arts makes for a more vulnerable group. 

We’ve collated resources and teachings to help spot the signs of a mental health issue and looked at how employers can improve mental health.

 Bristol 

Spending time amongst nature encourages better mental health (3). The Mental Health Foundation found that throughout the pandemic, nearly half (45%) of people in the UK said visiting green spaces, such as parks, helped them to cope. Bristol Walk Fest runs throughout May, offering our city perfect pick-me-up walks and those green spaces you to discover. Next month brings Festival of Nature’s incredible roster of city-wide events. Seek them out. 

Here at Bristol Festivals Network we provide a safe and supportive space for live event and festival professionals to share and learn from each other via our peer to peer sessions. We are currently running a mental health awareness session once a month -we’d love for you to join us - email hello@bristolfestivals.org.

In Inspire Wellbeing For All’s study (2) with Ulster University into mental health in the culture sector, the team found a greater amount of hope and resilience in respondents compared to other sectors, but we knew that anyway, right?

1. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/statistics-and-facts-about-mental-health/how-common-are-mental-health-problems/#one 

2. https://www.inspirewellbeing.org/media/9236/changing-arts-and-minds-creative-industries-report.pdf 

3. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/nature/nature-research 

Bristol mental health and wellbeing support