Highlighting Early Winter Virtual Trainings from the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative

The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative is offering upcoming virtual training sessions to provide the information and skills to identify and assist when colleagues are struggling with mental health or substance use issues or are targets of bullying and harassment. BTS seeks to create safer workplaces and decrease the stigma surrounding mental health problems in the entertainment industry.

The first virtual classes for 2025 are posted for January 13 and 24 and February 2 at btshelp.org/mhfa. Each is delivered in two parts. The first is a two-hour self-paced online course that must be completed prior to an interactive six-hour virtual, live instructor-led session.

The registration fee is $125. IATSE members and those working under IATSE agreements may be eligible for Training Trust Fund reimbursement upon proof of successful completion. A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available to individuals who are not eligible for reimbursement.

Private group classes of ten to 25 are available; contact mhfa@btshelp.org for information.

Other sessions include:

Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Workplace: Have you ever witnessed a co-worker being bullied or intimated? In just 90 minutes you will learn five easily accessible tools for safely intervening without fear of retaliation. Entertainment industry scenarios will help you understand how to choose tools to match your comfort level.

The webinar is free but advance registration at btshelp.org/bystander is required to receive the Zoom login. Upcoming dates are January 27 at 7pm ET, April 27 at 4pm ET, and July 28 at 7pm ET.

Behind the Scenes is partnering with Right to Be, a social justice organization that specializes in education around bullying and harassment, to present these free interactive webinars. These webinars, sponsored by IATSE, are open to all entertainment industry workers.

Dealing with Alcohol and Substance Use Issues in the Workplace: Why and How We Help: Substance misuse has reached epidemic proportions in society and this industry. You will likely encounter someone with this problem in your workplace -- a co-worker, a manager, or someone who reports to you.

In this interactive webinar, developed by both industry professionals with lived experience and an addiction specialist, you will learn tips and tools to assist in responding to this type of situation including how to recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction, how to start a conversation with someone you are concerned about, what if they don't want to stop, and treatment options and industry resources.

The webinar, on February 10 at 7pm ET, is free but advance registration is required in order to receive the login. Visit btshelp.org/workplace to enter your email and be notified when registration opens.

Organizations interested in a private webinar should contact mh@btshelp.org.

Visit btshelp.org/mentalhealth to see all the tools and resources in the Mental Health Initiative.