Is There a Mental Health Crisis in the Creative Industries? #MentalHealthMonth

Be honest, how many of your creative colleagues and friends do you think are struggling right now with their mental health? If I asked myself that question, I’d probably have to answer more than half, myself included. On paper, that reads like a pretty serious problem, however, the holy trinity of depression, anxiety and exhaustion are so ubiquitous in our industry that to truly tackle the problem would surely require burning the whole thing down and starting from scratch, right?

The truth is that the creative industries have long been romanticised as a haven of innovation, vision, and artistry that attracts individuals with a passion for self-expression and imagination. However, beneath this glossy veneer lies a wellspring of panic, particularly for those of us now living with the existential threat of AI.

But if there is a mental health crisis in the creative industries, how did it get so bad and what can be done about it? I wish I had all the answers (for my own benefit, at the very least), but I do at last have a few theories…

The Pressure to Innovate

Creativity, by its very nature, requires pushing boundaries and thinking outside the box. Yet, this constant drive to innovate can be both mentally and emotionally exhausting. Professionals often face pressure to continuously produce novel ideas, which can lead to overwork, burnout, and the fear of falling behind the rest of the pack.

Zara Picken

The weight of expectation, combined with an industry that frequently blurs the lines between work and personal life, can result in significant stress and a lifestyle in which you never really feel like you can “switch off”.

Perfectionism and the Spotlight

In many creative professions, there's an inherent need for perfectionism. When an artist's work is put out into the world, it's subject to public scrutiny, critique, and judgment. For many, their art is a deeply personal expression, and criticism can feel like a personal attack.

This vulnerability, paired with the rise of social media and instant feedback loops, can amplify feelings of anxiety, self-doubt, and impostor syndrome. It would be easy to sugest unplugging from social media but for so many of us it's a necessity that we'd suffer financially without. Speaking of which...

Financial Uncertainty

The gig economy's rise, coupled with the project-based nature of many creative jobs, means that stable, long-term employment can be elusive. This financial instability, punctuated by periods of unemployment, can trigger a host of mental health issues. Worries about paying bills or securing the next job can overshadow the joy of creation.

Zara Picken

This uncertainty is compounded for freelancers living from job to job and is only being worsened by new fears about AI replacing (or at least compromising) many of our previouly secure employment opportunities.

The Romanticisation of Suffering

Historically, there has been a misguided notion that great art comes from suffering. Tales of tormented artists who produce masterpieces while battling their inner demons have been told and retold.

This dangerous narrative can lead to the normalisation of mental health struggles, discouraging individuals from seeking help or even glorifying unhealthy behaviours. Yes, there is a seed of truth to the idea that art can come out of turmoil but it can also come from a place of calm and safety. That doesn't sound sexy though, does it?

Steps Towards Change

The good news is that awareness of these issues is growing. There's an ongoing dialogue about mental health in the creative sectors, and many industry leaders and organisations are making efforts to address the problem.

Community and Peer Support: Initiatives like support groups, workshops, and mentorship programs can provide creatives with a space to discuss their struggles and learn coping mechanisms.

Education and Training: Workshops focusing on mental health awareness, resilience training, and self-care techniques can equip professionals with the tools they need to navigate the pressures of the industry.

Redefining Success: It's essential to challenge the unhealthy narratives around creativity and suffering. Success should be measured by well-being and fulfilment, not just accolades and achievements.

Support and Conversation

While there are significant mental health challenges in the creative industries and recent events appear to have exacerbated them, it's also clear that the conversation is shifting, albeit slowly.

Mental health has become a bit of a buzzword in the years following the pandemic, to the extent that fatigue might have set in for many by now, but we cannot let cynicism set it, not when 60% of creatives have admitted to harbouring suicidal thoughts (yep, it’s that high!).

Zara Picken

By acknowledging the problem, implementing supportive structures and being open to conversation and (critically) open to change, the industry can start to provide its professionals with the environment they need to thrive – both creatively and mentally. Because isn’t that what we all deserve after the garbage fire of the last decade?

Header image by Scott Balmer