Mentally Healthy 2020 survey launches to measure changes and wellbeing in the industry

Never Not Creative, UnLtd and Everymind have partnered to conduct the second major study into the mental health and wellbeing of the media, marketing and creative industry in Australia.

The study follows the Mentally Healthy 2018 survey, completed by more than 1,800 participants, which identified that people in the media, marketing and creative sectors are 20% more likely to show symptoms of depression and 29% more likely to show symptoms of anxiety than the general population.

Whilst building upon the initial survey in order to measure changes within the industry over the past 18 months, this year’s study will also investigate additional areas such as causes of stress, coping mechanisms, preferred support methods and readiness for supporting others with mental ill-health in the workplace.

Since the 2018 study, Never Not Creative and UnLtd partnered to launch the Mentally Healthy Change Group, a group of industry volunteers working to tackle mental health issues within the industry. So far, the group has launched the mentally-healthy.org website to provide easy access to information around mental health in our industry, created the Heart On My Sleeve Industry Leaders story book to empower people to share their personal stories, and introduced the Industry Minimum Standards for Mental Health.

Nina Nyman, CMO of UnLtd and co-chair of the Mentally Healthy Change Group, said:

“Since the results of the 2018 study were revealed, we’ve seen a huge increase in the discussion around mental health in our industry. Through the work of the Mentally Healthy Change Group, we’ve launched a number of initiatives aimed at smashing the stigma around mental health and setting standards within the workplace.

The second edition of our Mentally Healthy survey is an opportunity to see how those numbers have changed and to understand the current state of mental health in our industry.

We will also delve into new areas to explore how people are dealing with mental ill-health in the workplace, what the main causes of stress are and what kind of support methods actually make a difference.”

The research is conducted by Everymind, a leading national institute dedicated to reducing mental ill-health and suicide. Everymind’s Acting Program Manager for Mental Health and Research Dr Sally Fitzpatrick, said:

“Everymind is dedicated to increasing understanding of mental health and suicide through translational research, so it is important to follow up the 2018 survey with a snap shot of mental health across the industry this year. It enables us to maintain the currency of our data and also add new questions around alcohol use and coping strategies.

Since 2018, the media, marketing and creative industry has put in place initiatives designed to create awareness and support for mental health. In order to add to the evidence base in this area, it is vital that we evaluate - and seek to measure - changes in perceptions and attitudes based on those industry efforts.”

The survey is open during February 2020, with results set to be released in the autumn. Everyone aged 18+ working in the creative, media or marketing industries is encouraged to take part and give insight into how our workforce is faring in 2020.

Andy Wright, founder of Never Not Creative and co-chair of the Mentally Healthy Change Group, requested that everyone participate in the survey:

“2019 has been a huge year for recognition of the challenge we face. We’re more aware and gradually becoming better equipped. If anything this survey is even more essential.

In 2018, we identified the problem. In 2020, with the help of everyone in the industry we can drill deeper into causes and coping mechanisms. It’s a huge journey, but this will help us to take another big leap forward.

Grab a (soft) drink and put aside 15 minutes to complete it – for yourself and for everyone you love working within our industry.”

You can participate in the survey here.

All responses will be anonymous, strictly confidential and only personally de-identified data will be reported.

If you or someone you care about needs support, please contact:

Lifeline 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Thanks to our supporters:
AGDA, Ashton Media, CommsCouncil, Design Business Council, Edelman, Facebook, Hatched Media, IAB, MFA, McCann, oOh! Media, PHD, Pitch2Punch, PRIA, Publicis Groupe, The Design Conference, The Design Kids, ThinkTV, Streamtime and YoungBloods