The mental health crisis in the UK film and TV industry

On World Mental Health Day (WMHD) the UK film and TV industry is facing a deepening crisis, with 35% of 4,300 professionals rating their mental health as "poor" or "very poor," up from 24% in 2022, according to the 2024 Looking Glass Survey by the Film and TV Charity. Alarmingly, 30% reported suicidal thoughts in the past year.

This year’s WMDH theme, "It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace", is particularly relevant for an industry still grappling with relentless pressure, job insecurity, and the lingering impact of the pandemic. With 63% of workers reporting that their jobs negatively affect their mental health due to precarious employment, long hours, and toxic environments, the situation is especially dire for freelancers, who make up the majority of the workforce.

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Justine Walton, bullying service advisor at the Film and TV Charity, told Yahoo UK: "Freelancers face insecure contracts and financial uncertainty. During the pandemic, many were not furloughed or eligible for self-employment support, and that strain hasn’t gone away."

Walton, who transitioned from production work to mental health services, believes the industry’s response has been slow, leaving many workers feeling unsupported.

Pandemic Fallout

The pandemic worsened these challenges, intensifying the pressures already faced by freelancers and the impact of strict protocols and the need to continue productions during Covid-19 added more stress.

"The pressure to meet deadlines in isolating, unfamiliar environments left many struggling. People were working short-term contracts without job security or proper mental health support,” said Walton.

Freelancers, in particular, were hit hard. "Freelancers didn’t qualify for furlough or pandemic relief. They were left navigating between short-term contracts and job insecurity."

The VFX Industry: High Pressure, Low Support

The visual effects (VFX) sector has long been notorious for its harsh conditions, and the 2024 Looking Glass Survey highlights this further. VFX artists, often working in isolation under tight deadlines, face little job security. Walton says: "The VFX industry operates with high expectations and tight turnarounds. Long hours and unclear chains of command are common, leaving people overworked and isolated."

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The rise of machine learning and new technologies has only increased pressure. While these tools offer creative opportunities, they bring job uncertainty, with artists bouncing between short-term contracts and often working without breaks.

"This environment is mentally exhausting. Many feel burnt out, and turnover is high," adds Walton.

A Duty of Care

The deaths of Caroline Flack and Steve Dymond highlight the urgent need for stronger duty of care in the industry. Flack, a TV presenter, faced intense media scrutiny before her death, while Dymond, a participant on The Jeremy Kyle Show, died by suicide after his experience on reality TV.

Both cases underscore the vulnerability of public figures and ordinary individuals thrust into the spotlight.

Although the Film and TV Charity doesn’t work directly with reality TV contributors, it trains producers and interviewers to conduct proper risk assessments and safeguard contributors. During a recent webinar for unscripted and factual entertainment producers, Walton stressed the importance of duty of care training and raising awareness about the mental health risks faced by contributors.

Bullying and Harassment

Bullying and harassment remain widespread in the industry, contributing to poor mental health, as seen in the Looking Glass Survey. 44% of respondents reported experiencing bullying or harassment at work in the past year.

Walton’s role at the charity is to support those facing these issues: "People come to us with serious concerns, often after being ignored by employers. This is where mental health takes a huge hit—when workers feel they have nowhere to turn."

The charity offers free resources, including six counselling sessions, a bullying advice line, and a 24-hour support line.

Walton explains that freelancers, in particular, fear reporting harassment due to their job insecurity. "In this industry, if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. People put up with mistreatment because they fear speaking out will cost them future jobs."

Action for Freelancers

Action for Freelancers say it is prioritising mental health and wellbeing, with the Film and TV Charity leading efforts to establish industry-wide standards. The goal is to ensure freelancers get the support they need, streamline resources, and foster a safer, more supportive working environment.

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Backed by the Film and TV Charity and ScreenSkills, Action for Freelancers (AfF) is revising the Freelance Charter, focusing on improving working conditions, recruitment, skills, and mental health support.

A key feature is the development of a Freelancer Hub to provide resources, support services, and training. The Looking Glass Survey highlights that financial instability, particularly for freelancers, drives the mental health crisis, with 78% of workers stating their job negatively affects their wellbeing.

AfF will also publish commissioning trends to help freelancers make informed career decisions. Walton believes these efforts are vital for reducing stress. "This initiative could provide the tools freelancers need to navigate the industry with more confidence," she says.

Creating Accountability and Mental Health Stigma

The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) is addressing industry-wide issues like workplace culture, bullying, and harassment. CIISA is working to create standardised reporting mechanisms for misconduct and ensure greater accountability for harmful behaviours.

CIISA’s focus on diversity and inclusion is also crucial in transforming workplace culture. Walton notes, "A lot of mental health struggles come from hostile work environments. CIISA’s push for real accountability is a positive step."

The challenges in the film and TV industry show no signs of easing. The 2024 Looking Glass Survey reports an increase in suicidal thoughts and burnout, with 71% of industry professionals feeling overwhelmed. This is tied to issues like toxic workplace culture and financial insecurity. With only 9% of workers receiving employer-provided support, industry-wide reforms are urgently needed.

British actor Will Poulter has previously spoken out about the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly among men, emphasising that it’s often difficult to tell who might be struggling. The 30-year-old has been open about his own battles with generalised anxiety disorder, depression, and OCD.

Walton emphasises that while mental health is being discussed more openly, stigma remains around seeking help: "We need new standards and a shift in workplace culture. People need to feel supported in speaking up and getting the help they deserve."

Initiatives like Action for Freelancers and CIISA aim to improve conditions, but real, lasting change will take time. Walton adds: "The issues are structural and systemic. Until we address the root causes—whether it’s job insecurity, toxic work environments, or lack of mental health support—workers will continue to struggle."

Initiatives like Action for Freelancers and CIISA aim to foster a healthier, more supportive environment for those in the film and TV industry. By focusing on establishing clear standards and building a culture of care, both Action for Freelancers and CIISA are laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, mentally supportive industry.