Equity News Magazine

Equity News is the official magazine of Actors' Equity Association. Equity News has been around in a variety of formats since 1915.

Getting Professional Help

by Nathan Pugh

This winter's feature story puts a spotlight on how Equity members are working to improve mental health within the production process: from intimacy coordinators and cultural sensitivity specialists, to community agreements and closure practices. Still, all of these practices for mental health don't replace the services provided by professional, psychiatric and medical help.

Some of these services can be accessed through Equity itself. Javon Johnson, Equity's director of education and member value, says that members who qualify for Equity League coverage also receive Spring Health. It's a mental health platform with a variety of tools – from finding a therapist, to scheduling sessions, to budgeting resources and step-by-step questionnaires for possible diagnoses. Spring Health representatives are usually present at Equity expos in New York, L.A. and Chicago, and mental health resources can be found in the displays and televisions at Equity audition centers.

Going through mental health resources online can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for new members. Danee Conley, director of diversity and inclusion at Equity, says that a practical solution is for people to use the word "toolkit" or "collection" when searching online, to find already-compiled lists of resources.

Actors' Equity Association itself also provides many resources. Through the member portal, Equity members can access resources, one-sheets, webinars and toolkits – many of which are organized around specific cities throughout the country. Conley's "Embracing Equity" discussion series has recently included two sessions about mental health in the industry, and includes mental health resource toolkits on the national, office city and geographically based community level. Plus, the member portal has a new "Resources" page to make it easier to find what you need by topic.

Abbey Crowley, business representative for discrimination and harassment at Equity, additionally encourages people to utilize the Entertainment Community Fund (ECF) to find therapists. The Entertainment Community Fund connects industry members with therapists who have a specific understanding of the ins and outs of the entertainment industry.

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Both the ECF and benefits organization Union Plus provide services that actors and stage managers often need for their jobs. The ECF provides workshops, online resources, emergency financial assistance and affordable housing residencies. Union Plus provides Equity members (and all union members) with deals for hotels, car rentals, moving companies, cell phones and more. Conley said that the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is also a helpful resource. Because many mental health conditions are considered disabilities by employers, JAN offers an "A–Z" list of conditions and resources for workplace accommodations.

Johnson stressed that all Equity members can benefit from using these resources, not just those facing particularly difficult times in their mental health.

"I think the misconception around mental health is you need to be diagnosed with something," Johnson says about seeking mental health support. "You can seek this help, whether you've been diagnosed with something or not. It is something for everyone. You're just having a bad day – go check it out."