Creatives 'need to look after their mental health'

With Joy In The Park 2024 almost upon us, an organisation offering mental health support for people in the creative sector is preparing to host a very important discussion.

Founded in 2020, Minding Creative Minds (MCM) is Ireland’s first 24/7 free and confidential wellbeing support programme for everyone working in the Irish creative sector.

For this year’s Joy In The Park, MCM is hosting Broadening Your Horizons As A Creative, which will be moderated by Cork comedian, actor and writer Tadgh Hickey. He will be joined by a number of panellists talking about their own careers including theatre artist, Emma O' Grady and multidisciplinary artist Veronica Dyas.

“It is important that there are a lot of role models within the sector advocating positive mental health and that attending counselling is viewed as a positive and normal thing to do much like attending physio or seeing your GP,” MCM founder Dave Reid told the Cork Independent.

“There has been a realisation for some time in the sector that due to the specific demands and stresses of being involved in the creative industries that people need to look after their mental health more,” he added.

Last autumn, MCM conducted a survey which asked people in the creative sector if, over the past year they had experienced anxiety, depression, or mental ill health that has impacted their ability to fulfil their creative role. Of 700 respondents, 20% answered “most of the time” and 67% answered “some of the time”.

Last year over 4,000 people utilised MCM’s services with approximately 15% of the organisation’s user base being from Cork.

Mr Reid said he feels the “stigma is certainly lifting” in Ireland when it comes to speaking about mental health and seeking support.

He said: “That can be attributed to a more open debate around mental health and normalising the culture around seeking and attending counselling and other mental health supports. Trying to earn a living and build a sustainable career is perhaps the biggest struggle for a lot of people in the creative sector.

“The unsocial working hours, working weekends and trying to eat healthy while being away on tour are other challenges,” he added.

Joy In The Park takes place on 21 July in Fitzgerald’s Park from 12-6pm. Entry is free. For more information on MCM, visit mindingcreativeminds.ie.