Support Act, a charity that provides crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing support to musicians, artist managers, crew and music workers across all genres, as well as to those working in the creative industries more broadly – has launched a suite of new mental health and wellbeing programs designed to help creative workers build safer, healthier and more sustainable careers.
Led by psychologist Dr Ash King PhD, Support Act’s Mental Health & Wellbeing team has expanded its training and education offerings to address some of the most common psychosocial hazards facing creative workers, including burnout, workplace conflict, harassment, discrimination, isolation and exposure to traumatic content.
The new programs complement Support Act’s existing crisis relief, counselling and wellbeing services, providing practical skills that help individuals and organisations respond to challenges before they reach crisis point.
Dr King said the programs were developed in response to growing demand from creative organisations seeking practical tools to better support their people.
‘Creative work can be incredibly rewarding,’ she said. ‘But it also comes with pressures that people outside the industry don’t always see: the long and irregular hours, financial uncertainty, public scrutiny, power imbalances, bullying and sexual misconduct, and exposure to other difficult experiences can all add up over time and have a real impact on people’s mental health.
Support Act – new services:
Speak Up Safely: Intervening When Witnessing Harassment & Discrimination
An interactive, trauma-aware workshop that equips participants with practical tools to safely intervene when witnessing harmful behaviour in workplace settings.
De-escalation: Managing Conflict in High-Stress Situations
Designed for creative workplaces where tensions can run high, this program helps participants recognise escalation, regulate their responses and navigate conflict without inflaming it.
Hearing the Hard Stuff: Trauma-Conscious Communication
A practical workshop focused on listening well, responding safely and supporting others through difficult conversations while maintaining healthy boundaries.
MINIs: Bite-Sized Mental Health Skill Builders
Short, accessible workshops that develop practical mental health and psychosocial safety skills tailored to the realities of creative work.
Dr King said the goal of the new programs is to make health support practical.
‘We want people walking away with skills they can use straight away, whether that looks like handling a tough conversation, supporting a teammate, navigating conflict, or shifting self-care strategies to be realistic and move with the nature and demands of the work and season.’
While Support Act has long been recognised for its support of music workers, the organisation has expanded its services in recent years to support people working across the broader creative industries, including performing arts, visual arts, literature, festivals, museums and galleries.
The training programs sit alongside the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline, which provides free, confidential counselling and support for people working in music and the creative industries across Australia.
‘Often, people don’t seek support until things have become really overwhelming, but mental health support works best when it starts earlier,’ Dr King said.
‘We want creative workers to know they don’t have to be in crisis to reach out. Whether you’re wanting to strengthen team culture, build practical mental health skills, or just have someone to talk things through with, Support Act is here to help.’
