Mental Health Resources for the Arts Community
The following are ideas for artist and arts workers to help manage through the mental health difficulties faced during COVID-19. It is by no means an exhaustive list, and based on my own work and connections, so please, if you know of a resource or support service that you think would be helpful for the arts community right now please email (chris@chrischeers.com) and I’ll be sure to add it.
When I just have the space to listen or watch:
House Lights Podcast Series of podcasts featuring honest conversations with performing arts workers and mental health practitioners about the challenges of forging a career in the arts, and strategies for overcoming them.
Self and Identity Workshop Recording of a Zoom workshop I ran with Arts Wellbeing Collective which provides strategies to help artist cope with this challenging COVID-19 period and explore ways in which we can reflect on our self, and find meaning, values and identity beyond our role in the arts.
Mental Health Matinees A series of online presentations promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in the performing arts.
The Space Podcast Join Casey Donovan on a mini escape each morning and evening with short meditations, motivations and tips on how to improve your day.
Sound Mind. A beautiful music and conversation series exploring mental health produced by the Arts Wellbeing Collective
Beyond the Curtain. A podcast focused on connecting the perfromaign arts through human stories.
A psychologist's guide to surviving lockdown. A recent podcast I recorded with 7am which I talk not only about my experiences but tips for managing mental health during a lockdown.
When I just have the space to read:
Wellbeing Guide for Artists (Melbourne Fringe). A guide I worked on with Fringe with plenty of ideas and resources relevant for all artists and arts workers.
Support Act - Mental Health Resources for the Music Industry - a regularly updated resource of evidence-based information, articles, videos, plus app and book recommendations, specifically curated for those who work in music.
Spotlight: The Arts Wellbeing Collective Magazine. The current issue includes some great articles to help promote mental health in the performing arts including:
True grit in the arts: resilience can be found where passion meets boundaries
Angels and demons: balancing creative work and Imposter Syndrome
I’ve got a few resources on my website that might be helpful to check out. I’d suggest starting with my introduction to Mindfulness, an article on adjusting to the new (COVID) normal and my recent interview with the Age, Notes from a Melbourne psychologist and the power of the 20-second hug.
The Happiness Trap – Russ Harris The first 2 chapters of a book which further outlines the idea of creating space for emotion and committing to what’s meaningful.
When the feelings are overwhelming:
At times of uncertainty, we can get stuck in the stress cycle (read Burnout by Emily & Amelia Nagoski, or listen to this podcast for more about this). The following are some ideas to process emotions and complete the stress cycle.
Create
Great news for artists, practicing creativity is a great way to complete the stress cycle. But it has to be creating something just for the sake of creativity. Art for arts sake. I’m sure you already know what you could try, but if you are looking for ideas, Makeshift offer great resources and courses focused on using creativity to help individuals to manage their own wellbeing.
Breathe
To calm your breath, is to calm the mind. The power of slow, deep breathing is undeniable. As most performers incorporate breath work into their practice, you may already have the skills. But here are my tips to get your started.
Focus less on counting breaths, and more on focusing on the physical experience of fully emptying your lungs and then fully expanding.
If you’re finding your mind wandering, put your hand on your belly, and focus on the rise and fall.
When anxiety is overwhelming, try to repeat the phrase “I am safe” and remind yourself that anxiety is a normal response, and if I continue to breath slowly, the stress cycle will complete, the emotion will pass. It will just take some time.
If you are looking for some guided breathing and mindfulness practices try Smiling Mind and Insight Timer for free meditations to help calm at times of stress and anxiety. I’d also suggest the noting emotions and Soften, sooth, allow meditation by Kirstin Neff and any of the meditations by fan-favourite Tara Brach.
Move
Exercise, whatever that looks like for you, is a sure-fire way to release stress and some feel good chemicals. But the problem is just knowing that isn’t enough to get you going. So try to focus on ridiculously achievable goals. And if it doesn’t happen for you. Remember, you weren’t the problem, the goal was. So set a new one and try again tomorrow. Here’s some fun ideas that might help get you going.
And when your body is feeling right keep in mind Performance Medicine (physiotherapy) and Sound Osteopathy who both offer specialized services for performers.
When I need support from someone who understands the arts industry.
Image: Tile by Samuel Leighton-Dore
Support Act. Support Act is Australia’s only charity delivering crisis relief grants (apply here) and mental health & wellbeing services to artists, crew and music workers who are doing it tough. Check out the
The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline (1800 959 500) is a free, confidential phone counselling service, available 24/7 to anyone anywhere in Australia who works in music, the performing arts or other creative industries.
Support Act also offer a dedicated Helpline for First Nations artists, crew and music workers, which can be accessed by calling 1800 959 500 (Option 3) between 8am – 6pm AEST Monday to Friday.
You might to check out The Australian Arts amidst COVID-19 facebook group, an active place for artists to share resources and offer support.
Hey Mate Project. This team of mental health professionals delivers mental health, wellness support, and education to the music, entertainment, performing arts, and creative industries.
Will Centurion is a counsellor and life coach who applies his experience as a dancer, singer and actor to create mental health services that target the needs of Australian performers through individual sessions and workshops.
Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) Equity Health Database provides a useful list of GPs, Psychiatrists and Psychologists who have self-identified as having a special interest in or affiliation with the arts and/or artists.
Online Programs.
Finding a psychologist or therapist is not the only way to do therapy. A range of online programs are now available that offer free, effective and evidence-based programs for stress, anxiety and depression. Some programs I’d suggest checking out include MindSpot, This Way Up, MyCompass , MoodMission and MoodGYM.
When I need to talk to someone right now.
Support Act: Online or 1800 959 500 (24/7)
The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline is a free, confidential counselling service that is available to anyone working in Australian music (all genres), or the Australian Performing Arts, who needs to talk to someone about any aspect of their wellbeing.
Lifeline: Online or 13 11 14 (24/7)
Trained counsellors offering crisis support and suicide prevention.
Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Health Support: Online or 1800 512 348 (24/7)
Trained counsellors available and online resources.
Rainbow Door/Switchboard Victoria: Online or 1800 729 367 (10am – 5pm, everyday).
QLife: Online or 1800 184 527 (3pm - midnight, everyday).
Both Rainbow Door and QLife provide peer-driven support services, counselling and referral for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people, their families, allies and communities.
1800 Respect: Online or 1800 737 732 (24/7)
confidential phone and online counselling to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
Directline: Online or 1800 888 236 (24/7)
Confidential alcohol & drug counselling and referral in Victoria
When I want to find a Psychologist
I currently do not have space for new clients, although do make announcements on my Instagram (@chrischeerspsychology) when this changes or when I am again taking a waitlist. I would suggest the following clinics in Melbourne who have excellent admin staff who can match you with a suitable psychologist and may have availability:
The Mind Room (Melbourne)
Inner Melbourne Clinical Psychology (Melbourne)
Sexual Health and Intimacy Psychological Services (SHIPS) (Melbourne)
Pola Psychology - Culturally Responsive Clinical Psychology
The Indigo Project (Sydney)
Otherwise, you could use the following website to find another psychologist in your area and to suits your needs:
