Prioritise working with vulnerable contributors and sensitive content

Review the script or series or programme overview at the start of a production to identify difficult or traumatic content and carry out a risk assessment as early as possible. This will not only help you identify any potential areas of risk, but also help you to put in place appropriate support provisions and preventative measures. You can find our mental health risk assessment template here.

Put extra mental health support in place for team members who are working directly with any content you have identified as potentially traumatic. Make sure this support is part of team aftercare that extends beyond the shoot. This could be an online counselling support service, bespoke therapy etc that may be provided for people working on a production.

We’re used to warning viewers at home or in the cinema about content, but not production staff, teams, or crew – from development to post-production. Discuss this with the relevant team members before you start filming, and you may want to consider using an intimacy coordinator on set where appropriate. Don’t forget those who might not be present during filming, but will be looking through the rushes or dailies dailies - the raw, unedited footage filmed during the day in film and drama. They are also known as “rushes” or “sweatbox sessions” in the animation industry because of the tiny, hot screening rooms where they screened the dailies Close of the production. Here’s a useful guide on trigger warnings with sample wording you could adapt.

Everyone has different support structures in place in their personal lives. If you think someone might need more, make sure they know who they can discuss their concerns with. This might be someone in your team, a Wellbeing Facilitator Wellbeing Facilitator - they work as part of a production; they advise producers and heads of department on how to prevent mental ill health and inappropriate behaviour and can help intervene early when issues arise Close , an Employee Assistance Programme Employee Assistance Programme - an employee benefit that provides your team with support and practical advice on issues that might be impacting their wellbeing and performance. It generally includes face-to-face, telephone or online counselling and expert support on both personal and work-related issues Close or direct them to the free 24/7 Film and TV Charity Support Line on 0800 054 0000 or Wellbeing Directory.