Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for the Film and Screen Sector

As creatives we give a lot to follow a career that we are passionate about, be it in front or behind the camera. But the film and screen sector as aworkplace can be a challenging environment with long hours, difficult themes and time away from friends and family.

During a recently study by entertainment assist revealed the following:

• Suicide attempts for Australian Entertainment Industry workers are more than double that of the general population.

• The levels of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms are 10 times higher than in the general population.

• The levels of depression symptoms are five times higher than in the general population.

Solutions to mitigate and support mental wellbeing in the workplace has been ever growing over the past decade but little has been done in the creative industry sector.

In 2019 Hey Mate launched as Australia’s only Creative Industries Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellbeing Program provider. Hey Mate is a service that was created by a creative, staffed by mental wellbeing professionals such as psychologists, Counsellor and social workers with significant creative industry experience, understanding and insights to service the creative sector.

One of the key areas Hey Mate provides support is in the film and screen sector partnering with organisations and companies to deliver mental wellbeing support (counselling, leadership support, crisis support etc) and education (Mental Health First Aid, Industry Wellbeing workshops, set inductions, toolbox talks and bespoke training).

Our approach to EAP and EWP is with pro active, preventative industry specific support where we work as an extension of our client team to help support wellbeing, productivity, employee satisfaction and overall culture. We are more than a 1300 number or a poster on a wall, Hey Mate has taken the old style sterile Corporate EAP model that over costs and under delivers, turned it on its head to create an affordable, high delivery bespoke industry service.

Our mission is to reduce these statistics and change the film / screen sector to a workplace where wellbeing is supported and is a key focus on all levels from crew, talent to industry professionals.

If you would like to find out how to incorporate Hey Mate services into your next production or company please get in touch below.