Allianz backs mental health in the arts initiative

Insurer Allianz has been announced as the sponsorship of the Arts Wellbeing Collective for 2017 – a one year prevention and early intervention pilot program delivered by Arts Centre Melbourne to support mental health and wellbeing in the arts and entertainment industry.

With a 2016 study on the mental health of employees in Australia’s arts and entertainment industry revealing some shocking statistics, the program was developed by Arts Centre Melbourne in close consultation with leading consultant psychologist, author and academic Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, and internationally-acclaimed soprano and performance psychologist, Greta Bradman.

Welcoming the backing, Allianz Chief General Manager -Workers Compensation Helen Silver stated “Allianz is proud to support Arts Wellbeing Collective and bring awareness to mental health and wellbeing issues facing the Arts industry,

“The statistics are alarming and this project is particularly close to my heart because I’ve been involved in the arts myself for many years,

“The story is so unknown. The public, for good reason, enjoy all the arts have to offer but behind all of it are some really worrying mental health issues,

“Allianz’s feels strongly about promoting the importance of nurturing good mental health and we hope our sponsorship will improve much needed support services for Victorian arts workers.” 

Released in October last year, the Working in the Australian Entertainment Industry: Final Report showed that

• 25% of performing artists and over 50% of ‘behind the scenes’ technical and support crews had attempted or considered suicide.
• Levels of depression symptoms are 5 times higher than in the general population and moderate to severe anxiety symptoms are 10 times higher than in the general population.

The Arts Wellbeing Collective pilot program will run until November 2017. 

For more information go to www.artswellbeingcollective.com.au/events/arts-wellbeing-collective-launch 

18th October 2016 - RESEARCH REVEALS ALARMING FINDINGS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH OF AUSTRALIAN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY WORKERS

9th June 2016 - ABS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SURVEY SHOWS OVER 200,000 EMPLOYED IN ‘ARTS AND RECREATION SERVICES’

18th January 2016 - STUDY SHOWS EXPOSURE TO THE ARTS PROMOTES MENTAL HEALTH

17th October 2015 - 15-YEAR RESEARCH PROJECT REVEALS THE ESSENCE OF HAPPINESS

6th October 2012 - HEALTHY BODY INTEGRAL TO HEALTHY MIND