Why Mental Health Support Should Be Standard on Every Production

In an industry built on deadlines, high pressure, and long hours, it’s no surprise that mental health often takes a back seat. But in the film and television world, where crew work 14-hour days, freelancers live with uncertainty, and entire projects depend on people’s emotional stamina, that’s not a luxury we can afford to ignore.

At Silver Screen Medics, we believe that mental health support should be a baseline standard on every production, not just a bonus when something goes wrong.

Let’s be honest: working in film and TV isn’t always glamorous. It can be thrilling, fulfilling, and collaborative but also:

• Isolating for freelancers moving from job to job

• Physically and emotionally draining

• Prone to burnout due to inconsistent rest

• Lacking clear access to mental health support

• Unstructured when it comes to emotional aftercare

Despite this, productions often overlook proactive wellbeing strategies and medics can be the only consistent source of welfare and support on set.

“It’s Just Stress” — Until It Isn’t

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is:

“It’s just part of the job. Everyone’s tired. It’ll pass.”

But chronic stress and exhaustion can lead to:

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Sleep disruption

• Poor focus (a safety risk on set)

• Depression and low mood

• Increased substance use

• Withdrawal or isolation during production

Ignoring these signs doesn’t just hurt individuals, it affects the whole crew’s productivity, morale, and safety.

Here’s what we believe every production should implement:

✅ On-set medics trained and experienced in mental health

✅ Private spaces for welfare chats or emotional decompression

✅ Post-incident debriefs

✅ Clear signposting to support charities like Film & TV Charity or BECTU’s helplines

✅ Crew briefings that include wellbeing check-ins

✅ Proactive culture where mental health isn’t taboo

Our clinicians are trained not just in trauma and treatment, but in people.

We:

• Monitor fatigue and emotional strain

• Create safe, judgement-free check-in spaces

• Escalate and support discreetly when needed

• Offer ongoing recommendations to production for better wellbeing planning

• Liaise with welfare and safeguarding teams if issues arise

You don’t have to be in crisis to be cared for. And you don’t need to “tough it out” to prove your worth.

Mental health on set isn’t a luxury. It’s not overkill. It’s not a favour.

It’s a safety measure, a productivity booster, and the right thing to do.

All crew shouldmake this part of your checklist. If you’re struggling, speak to your medic. We’re here to look after all of you, not just the cuts and bruises.

📌 Need Support?

Here are a few places to start:

• Film & TV Charity: Mental Health Resources

• BECTU Support Services

• Mind UK

Or message us confidentially via email or socials.