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 within the UK creative sector, described as a "watershed moment" for the industry's duty of care to its production community. This initiative follows concerning survey results revealing widespread mental health struggles among workers.
Collaborative Development and Survey Findings
The new principles are the outcome of a collaboration between the charity and more than 45 industry organisations, including all public service broadcasters, major studios, leading streaming services, production companies, and trade unions. This collective effort underscores a unified commitment to addressing mental health challenges in film and television.
The urgency of this initiative is highlighted by the charity's Looking Glass survey, which found a significant increase in mental health issues across the sector. Specifically, 35% of respondents described their mental health as "poor" or "very poor," indicating a critical need for intervention. Additionally, about 30% reported experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past year, 63% stated that their work negatively impacted their mental health, and 64% had considered leaving the industry due to mental health concerns.
Core Principles and Industry Impact
The nine principles outline essential actions for productions to embed mental health support routinely. Key elements include fostering a culture that promotes wellbeing, encouraging respectful and inclusive team relationships, managing the effects of difficult subject matter, and effectively handling workloads. These guidelines are designed to be practical and tailored to the unique demands of film and television production environments, which are often freelance, fast-paced, and high-pressure.
Marcus Ryder, chief executive of the Film and TV Charity, emphasised the significance of this framework, calling it "the biggest industry initiative to address mental health in film and television in a generation." He explained that the principles aim to address systemic issues rather than individual resilience, noting that working conditions and industry culture contribute to worse mental health outcomes compared to national averages. Since 2019, research has shown elevated levels of stress, burnout, loneliness, and poor mental wellbeing in the sector.
Ryder further clarified that the principles encourage productions to approach mental health with the same practical consideration given to physical safety. This involves identifying potential stress risks during planning, preparing for emotionally challenging content or difficult filming environments, and establishing clear processes for reporting bullying or inappropriate behaviour. While not regulatory, the principles are grounded in existing legal duties and best practices, with implementation varying among partners—some may promote adoption, while others integrate them into commissioning frameworks or production requirements.
Industry Support and Broader Context
Sara Putt, Bafta chair and Film and TV Charity chair, highlighted the broader challenges facing the industry, such as job instability, limited access to training, and production pressures, which are driving a talent drain and affecting mental health. Kate Phillips, chief content officer at the BBC, endorsed the principles as a "potential watershed moment" and urged BBC teams and suppliers to prioritise them to strengthen the industry's health and sustainability.
Existing frameworks, like UK health and safety laws and international standards such as ISO 45003, address workplace mental health broadly, but until now, there has been no single, industry-backed framework tailored to film and television production. This new guidance fills that gap by translating best practices into practical, production-specific advice, ensuring it aligns with the sector's unique realities.
