The Australian Screen Industry's

Mental Health
Action Plan (MHAP)

A comprehensive evidence-based strategy and implementation plan to improve mental health, reduce risk, and support more sustainable working practices across the Australian screen industry.

Download the MHAP

In response to Griffith University’s Pressure Point Report (2025) and with support from Netflix, Prime Video, BBC Studios Australia and Disney Studios Australia, the MHAP was developed through extensive consultation with over 100 industry leaders, workers, and mental health experts. It outlines a phased approach, beginning with the ACT NOW recommendations designed to be realistically achievable for all screen workplaces, followed by phases 2 & 3: a series of recommendations to create the tools, resources and infrastructure needed to better support our industry into the future.
DOWNLOAD THE MHAP

Take Action: Show your support

Achieving the goals of the MHAP requires an active, visible commitment from every corner of the screen industry. Add your voice as an individual, an organisation adopting the recommendations, or as an organisation supporting the aims outlined in the MHAP.

SUPPORT THE PLAN
SUPPORTER PACK

  • "At Hoodlum Entertainment, we believe the wellbeing of our cast and crew is inseparable from the quality of the work we make. We’re proud to commit to the Australian Screen Industry’s Mental Health Action Plan and to play our part in building a screen industry that is not only creatively ambitious, but genuinely safe and sustainable for everyone who works in it."

    Tracey Vieira - HOODLUM ENTERTAINMENT, Chief Content Officer

  • "Screen Australia supports this work and welcomes the MHAP’s contribution to supporting sustainable careers in the screen sector, as well as its focus on equipping producers and production companies with the tools required to manage risks and meet new legislative requirements."

    Grainne Brunsdon - SCREEN AUSTRALIA, Chief Operating Officer

  • “At Prime Video, we’re committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of the screen industry workforce. Partnering with Screen Well on the Mental Health Action Plan reflects our belief that a healthy industry is a stronger, more creative one, and we’re proud to contribute to this important initiative.”

    Sarah Christie - PRIME VIDEO, Head of Local Originals, Australia and New Zealand

  • “Mental health in the screen industry is something we all care deeply about — and finding solutions isn't simple, given the unique pressures and demands our industry navigates every day. That's what makes this plan so exciting: it's a meaningful, thoughtful step towards building a genuinely healthier screen culture. I wholeheartedly encourage every screen workplace — and especially productions — to embrace the ACT NOW recommendations and help lead the way forward”.

    Helen Panckhurst, Executive Producer

  • “Creating culturally safe and supportive workplaces is essential to the wellbeing of First Nations practitioners across the screen industry. Storytelling is deeply personal and often draws on lived experience, community and culture, so it’s important that productions foster environments grounded in care, respect and support throughout the creative process. NITV welcomes initiatives like the Mental Health Action Plan that encourage healthier and more sustainable ways of working across the sector.”

    Dena Curtis – NITV, Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production

  • “The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) strongly supports Screen Well’s Mental Health Action Plan for the Australian screen industry and the collective, evidence based approach it sets out for improving mental health, reducing psychosocial risk, and creating more sustainable ways of working across the sector. AFTRS is committed to working collaboratively with Screen Well and industry partners to embed the principles of the Mental Health Action Plan across our curriculum, new short courses and professional development. By aligning learning, leadership and industry practice, the School can help ensure that mentally healthy and safe workplaces become the norm, so that people working in Australian screen can thrive, not just survive.”

    Mathieu Ravier - AFTRS, Director, Partnerships and Development

  • “Griffith Film School's Pressure Point Report (2025) provided the evidence foundation for the MHAP, revealing that 72% of Australian screen workers experience mentally unhealthy work environments and 25% are likely to leave the industry within six months. As researchers and educators, we support the MHAP because it translates this evidence into actionable, industry wide reform. Mental health interventions tested across fragmented production contexts are essential to workforce sustainability, cultural retention, and Australia's creative competitiveness.”

    Peter Hegedus - GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY, Professor

  • "By supporting the development of this plan alongside our industry peers, we are investing in a more sustainable, compassionate, and resilient future for our workforce. We are proud to stand with Screen Well in advancing practical, industry-wide action on mental health, ensuring that care, awareness, and support are embedded both on and off screen as detailed in the ACT NOW recommendations".

    Kylie Washington - BBC STUDIOS AUSTRALIA, EVP & Creative Director BBCS Australia

  • "As a small business that puts our people first, Media Stockade wholeheartedly endorses and is committed to adopting the Mental Health Action Plan, and commends Screen Well's work in driving meaningful change across Australian screen workplaces."

    Rebecca Barry - MEDIA STOCKADE, Co-Founder / Producer,

  • "Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our industry is essential to create high quality, Australian content. We have worked with Screen Well to ensure a respectful, strong culture on a range of Netflix productions, and we're delighted to now support the Mental Health Action Plan. This is a critical step​ towards building the long term strength and sustainability of our industry.”

    Debra Richards - NETFLIX, Director for Studio Affairs, APAC and Global Affairs, ANZ

  • “Healthy workplaces support creative excellence. The MHAP provides a practical framework to not only uplift individual productions, but our whole industry too. Jungle Entertainment supports this initiative, and we encourage others to do the same”

    Chloe Rickard - JUNGLE ENTERTAINMENT, Director / Chief Operating Officer

  • "ACS advocates for and aims to support the mental health and well being of our members. The MHAP is important and a vital step towards providing much needed change for the screen industry."

    Erika Addis - AUSTRALIAN CINEMATOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, National Secretary

  • "DSA is a contributing partner to the Mental Health Action Plan (MHAP). We believe this is a vital resource for our production partners, supporting safer workplaces, stronger cultures, reduced risk, and improved creative outcomes. The MHAP offers an evidence‑based roadmap for wellbeing in the screen industry, helping to strengthen the quality, sustainability, and long‑term resilience of productions."

    Yasmine Lintmeijer - DISNEY STUDIOS AUSTRALIA, Head of Disney Studios Australia

  • “The Post Lounge supports the Mental Health Action Plan (MHAP) and the ACT NOW recommendations because we believe a healthy, respectful and sustainable workplace culture is critical to the long-term success of the screen industry. The Post Lounge is committed to continuing to build a culture grounded in respect, collaboration and accountability, and we view the MHAP as an important step toward creating a healthier and more sustainable future for the Australian screen sector.”

    Georgia Woodward - THE POST LOUNGE, Chief Operating Officer

  • “As CEO, I believe that people are the true foundation of every screen project. You can have all the gear and technology in the world, but it’s the creativity, dedication, and wellbeing of the people who make movies and screen stories come to life. That’s why Docklands Studios Melbourne supports the Mental Health Action Plan (MHAP). We are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and mentally healthy environment for our own teams and for everyone who works with us on screen projects on the lot. Supporting the MHAP is a positive step for building a resilient, world-class sector where talent can truly thrive.”

    Antony Tulloch - DOCKLANDS STUDIOS MELBOURNE, Chief Executive Officer

  • “SBS supports the Mental Health Action Plan as an important industry-led initiative focused on improving mental health outcomes and fostering safer, more sustainable working environments across the Australian screen sector. “The screen industry relies on the creativity, collaboration and wellbeing of its people, and practical resources such as the Mental Health Action Plan can play an important role in supporting positive working practices across all stages of production.”

    John Godfrey – SBS, Head of Commissioning

  • “NIDA supports the Mental Health Action Plan (MHAP) because strong mental health practices are essential to safe, sustainable, and creative screen and performing arts environments. The industry places unique emotional and psychological demands on individuals, and MHAP offers clear, evidence-informed guidance to strengthen wellbeing and psychological safety. Good practice begins in learning institutions, which is why it’s important for us to support and model these standards. We encourage screen workplaces to adopt these recommendations to help build healthier, more respectful cultures where artists and crews can thrive.”

    Kareena Hodgson - NIDA, Student Counselling and Wellbeing Manager  

  • ABC

  • Apple Box Studio

  • Ausfilm

  • Australia New Zealand Screen Association

  • Australian Cinematographers Society

  • Australian Film Television and Radio School

  • Australian Production House

  • Australian Sound Guild

  • BBC Studios Australia

  • BMEG

  • CATO Group

  • Cloudberry Films

  • CP Artist Management

  • Creative Plus Business Group

  • Damulgurra Stories

  • Disney Studios Australia

  • Docklands Studios Melbourne

  • Entertainment Partners

  • Epic Films

  • Film Art Media

  • Film Freelancers Crew Directory

  • Freelancers Promotions

Supporter List

We are grateful to the following organisations and individuals for officially supporting the Mental Health Action Plan.

  • Generate Crew

  • Greenlight Entertainment Group

  • Griffith Film School

  • Highview Productions

  • Hoodlum Entertainment

  • Inclusively Made

  • Jungle Entertainment

  • Media Stockade

  • Meissner Management

  • National Institute of Dramatic Art

  • Netflix

  • NITV

  • Princess Bento

  • Prime Video

  • RMIT University, School of Media and Communication

  • SBS

  • Screen Australia

  • Screen Careers

  • Screen Illawarra

  • Screen Queensland

  • Screenrights

  • Screen Vixens

  • Soundfirm

  • Spectrum Films

  • Stage & Screen

  • Sustainable Screens Australia

  • The Backlot Perth

  • The Mercury

  • The Post Lounge

  • Village Roadshow Studios

  • WIFT VIC

  • Alexandra Cameron - Head of Production & Co-Producer, Wooden Horse

  • Courtney Gibson - Managing Director, C-Type

  • Darren Paul Fisher - Head of Film, Screen and Creative Media, Bond University

  • Dr Christopher Hurrell - Manager, Flinders University Drama Centre

  • Helen O'Loan - Production Designer

  • Helen Panckhurst - Executive Producer

  • Lizzy Gardner - Costume Designer

  • Peter George - Head of Film & Television, JMC Academy

  • Serena Hunt - Producer, Ffunky Munky Productions

Supporting Resources

To enable screen workplaces to conduct psychosocial risk assessments confidently (the foundational ACT NOW recommendation), Screen Well has created a Psychosocial Risk Assessment Guide and templates.

Additionally, you can access all live links contained within the MHAP here, which includes several useful resources.
ACCESS RESOURCES

In this article for Inside Film, Screen Well’s Jonathon Dutton reflects on the development of the Mental Health Action Plan and the momentum to create lasting change.

The original piece is behind a paywall, but you can read the article in full here.