Report: Australian entertainment industry workers twice as likely to attempt suicide

In alarming figures released this morning by Entertainment Assist, suicide attempts by those in the Australian entertainment industry are double than that of the general population.

They were 5-7 times more likely to consider suicide in the last 12 months. Most vulnerable were road crews, whose desire to end their lives was almost nine times more than the general population.

The world-first study, conducted with Victoria University, surveyed 2,904 workers. They included musicians, singers, songwriters, dancers, actors, comedians, magicians, directors, producers, choreographers through to roadies, sound and lighting technicians, camera operators, film and video editors.

The research was released to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day. The full report is at www.entertainmentassist.org.au.

Entertainment Assist is funded by The Pratt Foundation to find solutions to the high level of suicide and depression in the country’s entertainment industry.

In other findings, the levels of moderate to severe anxiety, and depression, are respectively ten and five times more than other Australians. They also suffer greater rates of sleep disorders (44%) and insomnia (16%). The peculiar working hours of the industry contribute to the problem: 43.1% of respondents worked in the evening, 41.9% on the weekends and 30.2% unpredictable hours.

As a result, 63% experienced trouble maintaining a social life, and 45% with keeping contact with their friends in the industry. Their intake of alcohol is high (83%). Compared to the general public, their use of marijuana is four times greater, cocaine is 12 times more, ecstasy seven times greater, pain killers seven times more, and meth and amphetamine eight times more.

Entertainment Assist’s General Manager, Susan Cooper said, "Anecdotally all industry workers have stories to tell about their own or someone else’s mental health challenges. This research has been critical in understanding the impact the entertainment industry has on its people. Our mission is to champion generational change which would see our industry actively engage in mental health support and suicide prevention.”

The study indicates the urgency of early intervention programs tailored to the peculiar nature of those in showbiz.

Those who participated identified four key requirements to challenge the problem. They include the improvement of support services, information, industry cultural change and social networks.

Entertainment Assist’s response to the study is to create a network of peers who can recognise and support mental health issues, find ways to reduce mental health issues in the entertainment industry (one of them being to encourage those in distress to reach out), create “a better informed, more supportive and responsive entertainment industry” and publicise where people can get help.

To raise awareness of, and funds for its training programs, the Out From Under production is held on Monday September 21 at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne.

It is produced by Matthew Henderson, Managing Director of Matthew Management and stage manager of The Lion King, who has seen his share of mental problems in the industry. He is trying to get a global network of like-minded associations and power-brokers to address and have an open dialogue of the problem on a large-scale.

The night is hosted by Julia Zemiro and directed by Kelley Abbey. Confirmed artists and presenters include iOTA, Daniel MacPherson, Dami Im, Debra Byrne, Silvie Paladino and Michael Cormick.

Image Credit: Christian Yanni, Lighting Technician