Australian Entertainment Industry workers attempt suicide more than double the rate of Australia’s general population. In the past 12 months, workers in the industry that sets out to entertain the rest of the population considered the possibility of suicide 5-7 times more than the general population.
Meanwhile, in a shocking statistic, road crew members contemplate suicide almost nine times more than the general population according to world first research conducted by Entertainment Assist in association with Victoria University on a sample of nearly 3,000 industry workers.
The study also found levels of moderate to severe anxiety 10 times higher and depression five times higher than the general population. The survey further found the entertainment industry workers suffered sleep disorders and insomnia at far greater rates than the general population.
The 2,904 workers surveyed included all sectors of the entertainment industry including musicians, singers, songwriters, dancers, actors, comedians, magicians, directors, producers, choreographers through to roadies, sound and lighting technicians, camera operators, film and video editors.
“Anecdotally all industry workers have stories to tell about their own or someone else’s mental health challenges,” said Susan Cooper, General Manager Entertainment Assist. “This research has been critical in understanding the impact the entertainment industry has on its people. Our mission is to champion generational change which would see our industry actively engage in mental health support and suicide prevention.”
In an unprecedented response to the issues of mental health stars of the Australian entertainment industry will come together on Monday 21 September at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne to stage Out From Under to raise awareness and funds.
Hosted by Julia Zemiro and directed by Kelley Abbey, confirmed artists and presenters include iOTA, Daniel MacPherson, Dami Im, Debra Byrne, Silvie Paladino, Michael Cormick, Esther Hannaford, Christie Whelan-Browne, Loren Hunter, Paul Malek, Rohan Browne, Fernando Mira, Aaron Mendoza, Kevin Nugara, Joe Accaria and Verity Hunt-Ballard.
The evening will also include a very special performance by The Australian Ballet choreographed by Company member Alice Topp. Musical Director for this one-off event will be the acclaimed Chong Lim.
Out From Under Producer, Matthew Henderson said: “Watching a friend’s struggle and my inability to help, I decided it was time to begin an open dialogue about the issue of mental health within our industry.”
Funds raised from this event will support Entertainment Assist’s evidence-based training program, Intermission, developed in response to the research findings. Intermission will train people across all facets of the Entertainment Industry to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental illness and empower them to have conversations, encourage and support people to get help.
Out From Under
Her Majesty’s Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Bookings: 13 28 49 or online at: www.ticketek.com.au
For a summary of key findings visit: www.entertainmentassist.org.au. For more information and to read the full research report, visit: www.entertainmentassist.org.au for details.
For help or information call Lifeline: 13 11 14 or beyondblue: 1300 224 636.
Image: Her Majesty’s Theatre Auditorium – courtesy of Her Majesty’s Theatre