Good morning,
As Australia’s music and live arts industry was decimated by COVID-19 this year, mental health and wellbeing support has perhaps never been more important for an all-too-often overlooked workforce.
On AusMusic T-Shirt Day – a day which celebrates Australia’s strong local music scene and encourages people to wear a music t-shirt to raise money for those in the music industry who are struggling – AccessEAP Clinical Services Director, Marcela Slepica, can provide commentary on the challenges workers have faced and the support available.
Please see the full commentary attached and below for your consideration, which covers:
The unique challenges workers in the performing industries have faced
Transitioning back to the workplace and why this could mark a new era for this workforce
Advice for those in the industry looking for support.
Marcela Slepica has more than 20 years’ experience in providing psychological services across a range of industries including health, finance and human resource. Managing clinical services at AccessEAP, she is also responsible for the design and delivery of mental health programs and professional and personal development training.
Marcela is available to edit the piece to suit if required – we would be keen to hear your thoughts.
Please do let me know if this might be of interest for this week or if you need anything else at all?
Thanks,
Ian
A fresh start for a vulnerable workforce
COVID and the ensuing lockdowns have affected Australians in vastly different ways depending on their location, occupation and a myriad of other factors – just ask anyone who has been home-schooling their children for the past 18 months.
Mental health and wellbeing support is a vital lifeline for many, including an all too often overlooked workforce – the arts.
With entertainment venues forced to shut their doors, musicians and performing arts workers have struggled more than most. Like the hospitality industry, the arts were decimated by COVID, with very little work available.
Friends and family of those in the industry know the sacrifices artists make in pursuit of their passions. The industry is notoriously difficult to achieve stability even without a global pandemic.
Most workers shift from project to project as freelancers or short term casuals, meaning more than half of Australia’s creative workers were ineligible for JobKeeper due to not being employed in the same position continuously for 12 months or more.
With widespread cancellations of festivals, concerts and performances, it was also very difficult to apply for four jobs per month as required for eligibility.
Against this backdrop, mental health and wellbeing support has become increasingly important for musicians and artists.
Unfortunately, freelance workers also often lack the support, structure and financial stability of a regular employer, which can create additional stress and limit access to support services such as employee assistance programs.
Now that the stage is set for the return of live performances, artists and musicians must grapple with the industry’s proclivity for ‘crunch’ periods of work. When setting up for concerts or shows, people will often work late into the night for a week or more, not unlike frontline healthcare workers. This working pattern accentuates the stress and burnout risks already present in the industry.
But this return to work could mark a new era and fresh opportunity for the creative arts industry – opening the door to create a more mindful and supportive working culture.
As Australians yearned to return to live performances, never before have we valued the contribution of this varied and dynamic profession so much.
Acknowledging the unique stresses and challenges faced by people in this industry, we’re proud to partner with Support Act.
Providing a wellbeing helpline for music and performing arts workers, including crew and managers – those in need can access support on 1800 959 500.
