Following in the footsteps of other industries that have taken steps to raise awareness of the importance of Mental Health, Backup has created an industry specific Mental Health First Aider logo to help signpost people in need of support on a production, raise awareness and promote discussion around the subject of mental health in the live entertainment sector.

Backup’s goal is to ensure that in every crew there is at least one trained Mental Health First Aider crew member for every 20 crew members. We trust that venues, promoters and production companies will engage with this and it becomes part of crew contracts,” said Backup Vice Chair, Piers Shepperd. “We hope this logo will become a recognised standard on shows, events and in our industry workplaces, helping to destigmatise mental health issues and make our industry a happier, healthier place to work.”

The new Technical Entertainment Industry MHFA logo is available for use by:

• Individuals who have completed an MHFA training course (MHFA England certified*)

• Industry specific MHFA course providers (MHFA England certified*)

• Industry companies which appoint and promote specific MHFA trained staff (MHFA England certified*)

• Venues that appoint and promote MHFA trained staff (MHFA England certified*)

• Events and tours that appoint and promote MHFA trained freelancers (MHFA England certified*)

Backup, in conjunction with industry leading MHFA course providers Music Support and the ABTT, will be providing the logo pack to all attendees of courses going forward. If you have previously attended the course via one of the aforementioned providers, then please contact your relevant course provider for the logo pack.

If, as individual, you have attended an MHFA course from a provider outside of the industry, please contact Backup who will verify (MHFA England certified*) and send you the logo pack.

Any companies, venues, events or tours that have appointed an MHFA as per above and please contact Backup.

“Music Support is proud to be a preferred training provider working in partnership to support this much needed initiative for our industry. Attitudes are beginning to change but there is still so much misunderstanding and stigma about common mental health problems. No one in our industry should suffer alone, in silence, or without access to effective help and support.  Working together we can make that support a reality,” said Music Support Chief Executive, Eric Mtungwazi.

“The Association of British Theatre Technicians is very pleased to adopt and support the new MHFA logo, recognising the importance of support for mental well-being across the live performance and events industries,” added ABTT co-Chair, Mig Burgess Walsh. “The ABTT has committed to understanding and improving provisions for the mental health and well-being of those working in our sector, particularly those employed backstage or in technical or production roles. The common identity provided by this logo will help identify the value we collectively place on this work as the Association continues to deliver projects focussed on raising awareness of well-being in our sector and encouraging a cultural change towards mental health in our industry.”

Piers concluded: “We invite our industry friends and colleagues to get behind this new industry specific MHFA logo and help promote Mental Health awareness in our industry. If you are a freelancer you can sign up for our AJ Bursary for free MHFA training; the course is provided by our fellow industry charity Music Support.”

*If you have attended a Mental Health First Aider course which was not delivered by an approved MHFA England Certified Instructor Member, please contact Backup as we have a wider list of approved Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training Providers we can check against.

www.backuptech.uk

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