Supporting Mental Health in Performing Arts: Advocacy and Awareness

The environment and working conditions in the arts and culture sectors present a unique set of challenges for developing professional identities, building a sense of career, and managing the balance between work and personal life. Academic research consistently highlights that cultural professionals are a vulnerable group when it comes to mental health issues. However, there seem to be limited spaces for discussing the immediate and long-term impacts of work-related stress on mental health and well-being. What are spaces that promote mental health? What practices should be adopted? What guidelines and policies do we need?