Author: Lori Rubinstein

Posted on by

Fall 2025 Virtual Trainings

Fall 2025 Virtual Trainings from the BTS Mental Health Initiative

BTS MHI Trainings for BTS Website Post

Behind the Scenes is offering a variety of upcoming virtual trainings to help provide you with the information and skills to identify and assist when your colleagues are struggling with a mental health or substance use issue or are the target of bullying and harassment.

These trainings are part of the BTS Mental Health Initiative which seeks to create healthier, safer workplaces and decrease the stigma surrounding mental health in the entertainment industry.

Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Workplace

Bullying, harassment and intimidation are common workplace stressors throughout all sectors of the entertainment industry. These behaviors create unsafe and unhealthy workplaces for everyone. In just 90 minutes you can learn five easily accessible tools to safely intervene when you see a co-worker being bullied or harassed. This interactive webinar uses entertainment industry scenarios to help you understand how to choose tools to fit the situation and your comfort level.

The webinar on Friday, October 17th is free but advance registration at btshelp.org/bystander is required in order to receive the zoom login. This webinar, which is open to all entertainment industry workers, is presented by Right To Be and sponsored by the IATSE International.

Dealing with Alcohol and Substance Use Issues in the Workplace: Why and How we Help

Substance misuse has reached epidemic proportions in our society and in our industry. It’s very likely you have, or will, encounter someone with this problem in your workplace – it could be anyone: a co-worker, a manager, or someone who reports to you.

In this interactive webinar, developed by industry professionals with lived experience and an addiction specialist, you will learn tips and tools to assist you 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 covers situations where you may work with the person regularly and those where you may see them for just a day or two on a job, as well as addressing union obligations and employer obligations.

The webinar on Monday, November 17th at 7pm ET is free but advance registration at btshelp.org/workplace is required in order to receive the login.

Mental Health First Aid

Almost 1800 entertainment industry professionals are making a difference in their workplaces as certified Mental Health First Aiders. MHFA has taken the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, taught how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer to appropriate professional support. Join them in knowing how to provide peer support to colleagues during difficult times. You’ll also find you can use what you learn every day in your interactions with others.

Upcoming trainings are September 21, October 5, and November 16. Learn more and register at btshelp.org/mhfa. The course is delivered in two parts. The first is a 2 hour self-paced online course that must be completed prior to an interactive 6 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 of the course. A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available to individuals not eligible for reimbursement.

Posted on by

Tools to Help Explore Career Changes

BTS Launches Tools to Help Explore Career Changes

The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative announces a new program to assist entertainment industry workers in exploring career expansion or transitions to new careers when work is not plentiful enough or its simply time to make a change.

The entertainment industry has been evolving and experiencing changes that many didn’t foresee – new viewing methods, a global pandemic, weather related catastrophes, strikes and work slow-downs.

People who work in the creative fields are by their very nature industrious and willing to explore the new. Typically, they are flexible and ready to change direction as needed when the unexpected happens. 

The newly launched web pages at btshelp.org/career take users on a journey of exploration to discover possibilities they may not have previously considered. They are guided through a series of questions to help them articulate their reasons for making a change, what’s most important to them, what they are looking for, what they don’t like or limitations they may have, as well as identifying their soft skills. It also encourages users to translate their job title into skill sets and to find new ways to apply them in order to pay the bills and thrive.

The site looks at options both within and outside the entertainment industry; offers short, mid and long range strategies; addresses the fear and uncertainty of change; and provides a variety of tools and resources for taking the next steps. These include tips for writing a resume and cover letter that will get noticed, links to personality tests to aid in self-discovery, links to industry career support offered by other organizations, links to entertainment job boards, and more.

The task group is seeking the stories of people who have transitioned into other sectors of the entertainment industry or other industries. Please visit btshelp.org-share-your-story to complete a very short form if you are willing to share yours.

Posted on by

Take Our 2025 Mental Health Survey

BTS Requests Your Participation in Online Survey

to Explore Mental Health Needs in a Changing Industry

The BTS Mental Health Initiative was launched in 2019 with an industry-wide survey the results of which guided the development of the tools and resources currently available. The entertainment industry has experienced major changes over the ensuing years including a global pandemic, weather related catastrophes, strikes and work slow-downs, and changing business models, so it’s time to once again ask you what initiatives would support your mental health and wellbeing.

The BTS Mental Health Initiative has done extensive work in the areas of suicide prevention, bullying and harassment, alcohol and substance misuse, finding qualified therapists, providing easy to navigate resources, Mental Health First Aid training, and reducing stigma.

Work has recently been started on initiatives to help people improve their communication skills and to assist them in exploring career expansion or transitions to new careers when work is not plentiful enough.

Your response to the 2025 survey (btslink.org/survey) will guide the development of new tools and resources to meet your needs as you navigate a rapidly changing industry.

We seek to reach a wide and diverse group of respondents with this survey. Please help us reach as many people as possible by forwarding this survey to your co-workers and colleagues. All information will be reviewed and published only in aggregate and will not include any information that identifies any individual participant. All responses will be kept private and confidential to the extent permitted by law.

Take the survey today!
Posted on by

BTS Seeks Therapist Recommendations

BTS Seeks Therapist Recommendations for the
Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder

EITF Call for Therapists 700

In Fall 2019, the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative conducted an online survey to better gauge the mental health needs of entertainment industry members. BTS received an unprecedented response highlighting their experience and a common complaint was how difficult it is to find a therapist who knows anything about the entertainment industry’s unique culture, rigors and stressors.

In response, BTS created the Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder (EITF) specifically for our community of industry colleagues. The Finder only includes mental health professionals who have personal experience in our industry and/or have worked with entertainment industry professionals and are familiar with their unique pressures.

To make this program an even more valuable resource for the industry, we need your help. If you or a family member know of a mental health professional you think will add value to the Finder, please send their name and email to mh@btshelp.org and BTS will provide them with information and sign-up details.

Mental health professionals who register with the EITF will complete a questionnaire that includes areas of specialty, payment/fees (sliding scale and insurance), and virtual or in-person sessions. This ensures those seeking counseling find the best possible match for their needs.

To access the Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder go to btshelp.org/findatherapist. Visit btshelp.org/mentalhealth to see all the available tools and resources in our Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative.

Posted on by

Become a Certified Mental Health First Aider

Make a Difference in 2025
Become a Certified Mental Health First Aider!

Mental Health First Aid Training Classes are posted monthly on the Behind the Scenes website at btshelp.org/mhfa. Do you know how to respond if you see someone who is deeply depressed, having a anxiety attack, or showing signs of alcoholism? Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis.

Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations with someone you are worried about by teaching you how to recognize the signs and symptoms, how to listen non judgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer that person to appropriate professional support and services.

The course is delivered in two parts. The first is a 2 hour self-paced online course that must be completed prior to the second part which is a 6 hour virtual live instructor led session. Go to btshelp.org/mhfa to learn more and to select the date and time you wish to attend the virtual live session. Upon completing the course you will become a certified Mental Health First Aider which is valid for three years.

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 of the course. A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available to individuals not eligible for reimbursement. Private group classes of 10 -25 are available – contact mhfa@btshelp.org for information. Training for Canadians is available through the AFC at https://afchelps.ca/mhfa.

You’ll learn about the risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use problems including information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis and substance use; the 5-step ALGEE action plan to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or is in crisis, and the available evidence-based professional, peer and self-help resources.

Make 2025 the year you took an active role in helping to care for those you work with. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your skill sets by learning how to identify, understand and respond to signs of distress in your colleagues and help make our workplaces healthier and safer spaces for all. Visit btshelp.org/mentalhealth to see all the available tools and resources.

Posted on by

Quarterly Bystander Intervention Webinars

Learn How to Safely Intervene to Stop Workplace Bullying

Behind the Scenes_ BYSTANDER INTERVENTION_ IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative is partnering with the social justice organization Right to Be in offering free, virtual webinars training entertainment industry professionals to safely intervene during instances of bullying or harassment in the workplace. The 2024-2025 Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Industry webinars will be held on October 20th, January 27th, April 27th and July 28th. The webinars, sponsored by the IATSE, are free but pre-registration is required at btshelp.org/bystander.

Do you know how to safely intervene if you see a co-worker being bullied or intimidated? Did you know there are different ways to intervene to match your comfort level? In just ninety minutes you can learn about five easily accessible tools and get real life examples to use in any workplace to safely intervene without worrying about retaliation.

Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Industry is offered through the Mental Health Initiative’s Stop Bullying campaign. The campaign was launched 2021 in response to bullying, harassment, and intimidation being common workplace stressors throughout the entertainment industry. Attendees of the webinars leave the trainings equipped to safely intervene using the tools they have learned if they witness disrespect or harassment at work.

The Stop Bullying campaign also provides additional resources to assist industry professionals in reducing harassment and intimidation in the workplace. These resources include a poster to raise awareness of words, actions and behaviors that constitute bullying; information for those who are targets of, or bystanders to bullying behavior; information to empower individuals to Be Informed, Be Aware, Show Support, and Take Action; and a sample policy and procedures to identify, investigate and resolve instances of bullying, harassment or intimidation and to provide support to those who experience these behaviors.

Posted on by

Dealing with Substance Use in the Workplace Webinar

Dealing with Substance Use in the Workplace
Why and How We Should Help

The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative announces a new webinar Dealing with Substance Use in the Workplace: Why and How We Should Help.

We have all come across a situation where someone you worked with showed clear signs of problematic use of drugs or alcohol in the workplace. Have you wondered why you might want to help – and how you could help? Have you wondered if you have obligations based on your position? This webinar, developed by our Substance Use Task Group, will provide answers to some of these questions and help prepare you to take positive action.

Substance misuse has reached epidemic proportions in our society and in our industry. If you haven’t already, it’s very likely you will encounter someone with this problem in your workplace – it could be anyone: a co-worker, a manager, someone who reports to you.

  • Do you know how to recognize the signs and symptoms?
  • Do you know why you should start a conversation with them and how to do so?
  • Do you know the resources and treatment options available?

This interactive webinar, developed by industry professionals with lived experience and an addiction specialist, offers tips and tools to assist you in responding to this situation.

Topics include:

  • Why you should help
  • What is addiction and how to recognize the signs and symptoms
  • Having a conversation with the person you are concerned about
  • Following up with treatment options and industry resources
  • What if the person doesn’t want to stop?
  • Brief overview of union and employer obligations

The webinar will be held on Monday, February 10th at 7pm EST. Please register in advance to be sent the login link at btshelp.org/workplace.

Posted on by

BTS Seeks 2025 Holiday Card Designers

Behind the Scenes is Seeking Designers for Holiday Cards

Behind the Scenes holiday cards make a difference – and you can too! The cards have become a tradition in the industry for those who want to spread holiday cheer while supporting their colleagues who are seriously ill or injured or in need of mental health support. Each year designs have been created and donated to the charity by everyone from Tony Award winners to high school design students.

Behind the Scenes is seeking designers for their 2025 cards. The design guidelines are very simple and you can also view previous examples of the holiday cards. If you are interested in designing a card, Behind the Scenes will need your commitment no later than May 15th and your artwork by June 15th. Please contact us at holidaycard@btshelp.org or 212-244-1421 Ext. 3.

Posted on by

20th Anniversary Boutique Sale and Mental Health at USITT 25

20th Anniversary Boutique Sale and
Mental Health Presentations at USITT

BTS at USITT 2025 300x200

Join Behind the Scenes at the 2025 USITT Conference and Tradeshow from March 6th to March 8th in Columbus, Ohio. The charity, in booth #305A on the show floor, will offer a Buy One, Get One 50% Off promotion on all classic Behind the Scenes apparel, including jackets, fleece, hoodies, shirts, polos, t-shirts, and more. The BOGO deal also applies to BTS holiday cards, so be sure to stock up for future celebrations! Don’t miss your chance to purchase all limited-edition BTS swag.

Additionally, Behind the Scenes will offer brief presentations highlighting their Mental Health Initiative and related trainings. Presentations will include an Overview of Mental Health Tools and Resources, an Intro to Mental Health First Aid, and an Intro to Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Industry. Each presentation will last about 15 minutes and be offered twice daily during show hours on Thursday and Friday. Descriptions of the presentations can be seen below.

Overview of Mental Health Tools and Resources
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative, outlining the tools and resources available to support mental and emotional well-being in the entertainment industry. This includes information on suicide prevention, alcohol and substance use, anxiety and depression, and bullying/harassment/intimidation. Resources include sample language to talk about mental health with crew, the Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder, and training in bystander intervention, dealing with substance use in the workplace, and Mental Health First Aid.

Intro to Mental Health First Aid
Do you know how to respond if you see someone who is depressed, having a anxiety attack, or showing signs of alcoholism or substance use? Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related issue. The presentation explains what Mental Health First Aid is, what you will learn in the training and how to register for a class.

Intro to Bystander Intervention for Bullying and Harassment
Do you know how to safely intervene if you see a friend or co-worker being bullied or intimidated? Did you know there are different ways to intervene to match your comfort level This session will introduce you to the 5Ds of Bystander Intervention developed by RightToBe and explain what you can learn in the free webinar offered quarterly by Behind the Scenes.

Take this opportunity to join BTS in booth #305A to both learn about essential mental health resources and enjoy exclusive anniversary deals, all in one place.

Posted on by

Spread Cheer with BTS Holiday Cards

Spread Cheer and Help with BTS Holiday Cards

main_holidaycards

The 2024 Behind the Scenes Holiday Cards are now available for purchase online at the BTS Boutique. This year’s collection features six different designs created especially for the charity by Ola Kraszpulska, Rick Martin, Robert Mendoza, and Court Watson. From designs highlighting the BTS ghostlight to magical winter scenes and everything in between, you’re sure to find a design that’s right for you.

BTS Holiday Cards are available in a variety of options: card packs of 10 with a standard greeting, personalized cards with a company logo and custom message, and electronic cards in multiple file formats and an array of price points starting at just $20.

By purchasing and sending BTS holiday cards you can help to spread the word about the charity and let your recipients know you support the vital work Behind the Scenes is doing in the Entertainment Technology industry.

Orders for printed cards will only be taken until September 26, 2024 so don’t wait! All orders will arrive by late November. Electronic card orders will be taken until December 13th. View and order cards at www.behindthescenescharity.org/holidaycards.

While you’re shopping, be sure to check out our industry-themed holiday decorations, from LED ghostlight Christmas trees and Hanukah menorahs to nightlights and tree ornaments.

Click here to order your cards