WHAT WE DO
Entertainment Assist champions for mental health and wellbeing in the live and recorded performing arts and entertainment industry through liaison with peak bodies, employers, educators, peer-to-peer communications and its Ambassador program. Our work is evidence based in the form of training in educational institutions, workplaces, presentations, employer awareness and transformation programs and communications in traditional and social media.
Entertainment Assist's most significant initiative is the Australian Alliance for Wellness in Entertainment (AAWE), a world-first, cross-sector initiative for shared interest in positive mental health and wellbeing behaviours for a sustainable Australian entertainment industry. AAWE is collegial group of peak bodies, industry leaders, organisations, educators and individuals who recognise that the economic and creative sustainability of our sector is limited by the widely recognised[1] impacts on health and wellbeing, contributing factors include shift work, substance abuse, travel and stress arising from a high incidence of bullying, assault, sexism and racism. AAWE's purpose is to develop and action a Prevention First Framework for Mental Health in the Australian Entertainment Industry.
Entertainment Assist works collaboratively with entertainment industry influencers to ensure resources are directed towards continued research, education, individual support and incorporation of appropriate mental health education and practices within industry educational institutions and workplaces.
Our research is inspiring many industry initiatives that are working towards change.
An example of an exciting employer-based initiative is The Arts Wellbeing Collective. The Arts Wellbeing Collective is an Arts Centre Melbourne initiative, delivered in partnership with Entertainment Assist. The Arts Wellbeing Collective is a resource for industry employers and comprises a consortium of Victorian arts and cultural organisations whose shared vision is to effect better mental health and wellbeing for Victorian arts workers in their workplaces.
[1] sleep disturbances contribute to a range of social and health problems including work related injuries, depression and anxiety, motor vehicle accidents and health conditions like diabetes and hypertension