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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 [email protected] 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 2023 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.

Behind the Scenes proudly announces the launch of its new affinity fundraising initiative, Ghostlight Groups. The program, created in effort to raise awareness and funds to benefit the charity, seeks to honor the importance of community and volunteerism in our industry.

Ghostlight groups are volunteer led groups that gather to raise money for Behind the Scenes through an event or activity of shared interest. Groups may choose an activity like skiing, golfing, or quilting. They might hold a regular meeting of a book club, or monthly movie nights. Ghostlight Group’s events or activities can be anything people do in their precious spare time. The decision of what is left to those organizing the group, but more important is that those volunteers have a why; an affinity for the BTS mission, and a desire to create community.

The Rocky Mountain Ghostlight Riders (RMGR) became the charity’s first Ghostlight Group with their inaugural “Deadwood Run” motorcycle ride earlier this month. The ride, which took off from the Denver Performing Arts Complex rode nearly 400 miles to the town of Deadwood, South Dakota for which the ride was named. Heavy rains kept the group from their initial destination of Badlands National Park, but the RMGR enjoyed visiting the many attractions in the town before heading back to Denver. RMGR traversed over 700 miles of scenic beauty for the weekend in support of Behind the Scenes. RMGR Group Organizer Mark Heiser noted, “To me there’s nothing better than getting out on the motorcycle, rain or shine. It’s a bonus to be raising money for a good cause. My hope for the Ghostlight Groups is that others can gather up their friends and colleagues and do what they love to do, while raising money and awareness for Behind the Scenes.”

The Rocky Mountain Ghostlight Riders would like to thank their ride sponsors, ASM Global and IATSE Local 7. With the support of these sponsors and their many generous donors RMGR was able to raise $7,575 to benefit Behind the Scenes. These funds assist in the charity’s work, which provides financial assistance to entertainment technology professionals who are seriously ill or injured and tools and resources for mental health and wellness. IATSE Local 7 President Max Peterson detailed the Local’s motivation for sponsoring the ride, “IATSE Local 7 is grateful for the help BTS has given to our members and the thousands of members throughout the IATSE who qualify for support. The services that BTS provides extend far beyond financial, and our members are pleased to support the continuation of these vital and necessary programs.”

If you are interested in forming your own Ghostlight Group learn more here or email [email protected]

In June of 2009 ETC launched a new app that would revolutionize lighting control by turning people’s Apple handhelds into miniature lighting controllers. From the very beginning, ETC decided that all profits from sales of the iRFR (Radio Focus Remote) and later the aRFR for Android apps would be donated to charity. On Friday at the 2023 USITT Show, ETC presented Behind the Scenes with a check for $39,599 bringing the total donated to the charity to over half a million dollars.

The iRFR and aRFR mobile apps enable convenient, touchscreen-based remote control for Eos family consoles and controllers. You can learn more about the apps from the ETC website and download them from the iTunes or Google Play stores. 

David Lincecum, ETC’s Vice President of Marketing, commented, “Many of us are drawn to work in the entertainment technology industry because of its strong sense of community. Behind the Scenes has long been at the heart of this community, providing important financial support and mental health resources for our friends and colleagues. ETC employee owners are proud to contribute to this meaningful work.”

Rick Rudolph, Chair of Behind the Scenes accepted the check along with other members of the Board of Directors. Rick commented, “This milestone is truly remarkable. When ETC first told us about this initiative we never dreamed it would reach half a million dollars. That money has allowed us to help so many of our colleagues in need: keeping a roof over their heads, heat and lights turned on, food on their table, prescriptions filled, and doctor’s appointments kept. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the employee owners of ETC and to all those who have downloaded the app over the years. Your generosity has brought help and hope to so many during some of their darkest times.”

Learn more about joining the Pledge-of-Support Program by naming a product or service to support the charity or contact Emily Drew at [email protected].

The Behind the Scenes Foundation has added a number of new Board Members over the last six months intended to broaden industry representation and ensure continuity for future generations of entertainment technology professionals.

Chairperson Rick Rudolph states, “The Foundation has evolved and expanded its scope since forming in2005. Our mission now includes a Mental Health initiative along with the core of multiple Needs Grants. With increased programs and the desire for more outreach and expertise, we have invited additional members to join the Board of Directors bringing fresh ideas and knowledge. I am extremely pleased to welcome them and grateful to our current and past members. The work we do is important, impacting our colleagues by providing help, hope and awareness.”

Joining the Board are Liz Campos, Executive Director of the IATSE Training Trust Fund; Caroline Chauvet, Global Brand Manager for Chauvet; Kate Foster, Marketing Communication Specialist for ETC; Paul Royalty, Senior Vice President of Sales for LiteGear; Brad Schiller, lighting industry veteran; Jeff Siegel, Director of Eastern Region Systems for Barbizon Lighting; Court Watson, USA 829 costume and scenic designer; and Pat White, President of IATSE Local 764 and Director of Education and Training, IATSE.

Court Watson, whose design credits include theatre, opera and dance around the world, has created several popular BTS holiday cards over the years. It was his focus though, on making our workplaces safer and healthier for all that led the Board to invite him to join its ranks. When asked, Court commented, “Behind the Scenes is so much more than holiday cards, but that is how I first engaged with the organization. While our industry is changing for the better, technical stage and motion picture workers face intense stress and pressure in our workplaces. Providing grants, mental health tools and resources, including Mental Health First Aid training and access to entertainment-literate counseling, has never been more important. As we continue to work for healthy, safe, respectful, inclusive, sustainable, diverse spaces in our industry, we are stronger when we are better informed how to take care of ourselves and our colleagues.”

Click here to see bios of our full Board of Directors.