2024 Looking Glass Survey reports poor mental health conditions amongst UK screen industry
Today, the Film and TV Charity's 2024 Looking Glass Survey has revealed a significant decline in mental health among industry professionals. Highlighting the lowest level across the five-year history of research conducted by the organisation, the results display a staggering look into the quality of work life for screen industry professionals, desperately in need of proactive betterment.

Image courtesy of Emma Simpson by Unsplash
Conducted over the summer with more than 4,300 participants from film, television, and cinema sectors, the survey provides a comprehensive overview of the current mental health landscape. The survey indicates that the current industry climate, marked by job insecurity and a sense of precarity, may be contributing to the decline in workers’ mental health. Additionally, issues related to workplace culture and conditions persist, affecting overall well-being.
From the report, 35% of respondents rated their mental health as "poor" or "very poor," a significant increase from 24% in 2022. Alarmingly, 30% reported experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past year. In addition, a mere 12% believe the industry is a mentally healthy place to work, while 63% feel that their roles negatively impact their mental well-being. These statistics underscore persistent challenges in workplace culture and support systems.
Emphasising the urgency of these issues, Marcus Ryder. CEO of the Film and TV Charity stated: "Things are not improving quickly enough... While the Charity continues to provide invaluable in-the-moment support for anyone experiencing poor mental health, it’s evident that, collectively, the industry needs to grip the root causes far more robustly than it has so far managed to do."
Due to mental health concerns, 64% have contemplated leaving the industry in the past year, up from 60% in 2022. Notably, 32% have taken concrete steps toward exiting, such as applying for jobs in other fields.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. Respondents who worked on productions utilizing the Charity’s Whole Picture Toolkit reported better mental health ratings and a higher awareness of support services. This toolkit aims to embed mental health support into production processes, promoting a healthier work environment.
“Encouragingly, there is also growing recognition within the industry of the need to act collectively to tackle the causes of poor mental health and help those in need,” Ryder added. “This shows that progress is achievable when we work together with clear objectives and shared commitment.
In reaction to the findings, the Film and TV Charity plans to collaborate with major industry stakeholders to develop and implement pan-industry standards for mental health support. Organizations such as All3Media, BBC, Channel 4, ITV, and Warner Bros Discovery have committed to supporting this initiative.
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