The mental health situation within the UK film and television sector is growing increasingly dire, as revealed by the Film and TV Charity’s recent Looking Glass Survey. The survey, which assessed the working conditions of freelancers—an often precarious segment of the industry—revealed that approximately 35% of the 4,300 participants reported their mental health as “poor” or “very poor.” This figure marks a significant increase from the previous year’s survey, which recorded only 24% of respondents expressing similar feelings. Such a steep rise is not merely a statistic; it reflects the mounting stress and pressures freelancers are facing in an industry that has been under tremendous strain, particularly due to fluctuating production schedules and heightened uncertainty.
Moreover, the survey uncovered that a staggering 30% of respondents admitted to having entertained thoughts of suicide, a slight increase from 29% last year. This distressing correlation raises urgent alarm bells, prompting an essential conversation around mental health support and the systematic structures—or glaring lack thereof—that contribute to such alarming outcomes.
The amplifying severity of this issue comes as no surprise to those entrenched within the freelance community. Mental health advocates and industry leaders have long been vocal about escalating mental health concerns exacerbated by a slowdown in production. The tragic loss of prominent TV producer John Balson, who took his own life after working on Channel 4’s In the Footsteps of Killers, poignantly underscores the urgent need for change. His death serves as a rallying point for ongoing dialogues about the necessity of a supportive environment for industry professionals, reminding us that behind the glamour and creativity of television and film are human beings facing monumental struggles.
As we analyze the findings further, it becomes clear that the industry’s culture must shift drastically. With only around 12% of respondents considering their workplace a mentally healthy environment, and a significant 63% acknowledging that their jobs contribute to mental health deterioration, it is evident that many feel trapped within a toxic framework. This predicament is compounded by the fact that 64% of those surveyed revealed they have contemplated exiting the sector—a troubling trend that ought to inspire immediate investigation and action.
In light of these disturbing findings, Marcus Ryder, CEO of the Film and TV Charity, articulates the essential need for systemic change. He notes that there are persistent themes in previous surveys regarding poor mental health across the industry, emphasizing the critical necessity for a comprehensive industry-wide approach. While the early data from the 2024 survey offers glimpses of consistency, the overarching message is clear: progress is agonizingly slow, and urgent action is needed now more than ever.
To combat these pervasive issues, the Film and TV Charity has initiated the development of pan-industry standards surrounding mental health. Collaborating with prominent stakeholders such as Apple TV+, the BBC, and Disney, they are striving to systematically address mental well-being in the workplace. The estate of the Whole Picture Toolkit, an informative resource designed to assist producers in establishing mentally healthy productions, has seen increased adoption. Over 100 organizations and 200 individual projects are currently employing the toolkit, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of mental health’s significance in production planning.
The findings from the latest Looking Glass Survey indicate an industry at a crossroads, grappling with mental health crises that must be addressed head-on. While initiatives like the Whole Picture Toolkit are commendable, they must be part of a broader, sustained commitment to improving conditions across the entire sector. Employers, stakeholders, and mental health advocates must unite to create an environment where mental well-being is prioritized, and support systems are not just a luxury but a fundamental right for all workers.
The rich emotional landscape captured in the media we consume should reflect the values of its creators. There lies a crucial opportunity for transformation within the film and television industry to ensure that the health of its talent is nurtured and protected, paving the way for a future in which creativity is not borne out of suffering, but rather flourishes from a foundation of stability and support.