UK Film And TV Charity ‘The Looking Glass’ Exposes Worsening Mental Health Within The Industry

The UK charity The Looking Glass has followed up on its 2019 report which uncovered various issues regarding mental health in the UK film and TV industry. The latest report was based on 2000 responses and attributed the long working hours and intensity of this work as a reason for the worsening cases of mental health within the business. 

Racial discrimination was another issue that was brought to light by the 2021 report. It was found that over a third of BAME respondents had experienced racial discrimination or harassment within the industry and it was found that this caused 43% of them to consider leaving film and/or TV. It was also reported that 74% of disabled respondents had considered leaving the industry as a result of its impact on their mental health. 

As this was a follow-up report from two years previous it is concerning the lack of progress that has been made to improve the mental health of those working in the industry, especially that of those from minority backgrounds and workers with disabilities who have faced discrimination at work. The positive aspect of this report is the hope that this will open up the conversation regarding mental health within the industry and allow necessary changes to be made and better support systems to be put in place. 

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