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The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative is offering a variety of upcoming virtual trainings to help provide people with the information and skills to identify and assist when their colleagues are struggling with a mental health or substance use issue or are the target of bullying and harassment. BTS seeks to create safer workplaces and decrease the stigma surrounding mental health in the entertainment industry.

Mental Health First Aid

Join the over 1600 entertainment industry professionals who are making a real difference in their workplaces by becoming a certified Mental Health First Aider. MHFA takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, teaches how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer to appropriate professional support.

The first Mental Health First Aid virtual classes for 2025 are posted for January 13 and 24 and February 2 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.

Private group classes of 10 -25 are available – contact [email protected] for information.

 Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Workplace

Have you ever witnessed a co-worker being bullied or intimated? Would you like to know how to safely intervene? In just 90 minutes you will learn five easily accessible tools for use in any workplace to safely intervene without the worry 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 in order to receive the zoom login. Upcoming 2025 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 are sponsored by the IATSE International and are open to all entertainment industry workers.

Dealing with Alcochol 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 will encounter someone with this problem in your workplace – it could be anyone: a co-worker, a manager, 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 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, on February 10th at 7pm ET, is free but advance registration is required in order to receive the login. Registration will open in early January – visit btshelp.org/workplace to enter your email to be notified when registration opens.

Organizations interested in a private webinar should contact [email protected].

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

ETC presented Behind the Scenes with a check for $13,000 at last year’s LDI Conference and Tradeshow representing the additional 2023 proceeds from sales of the company’s iRFR and aRFR (Radio Focus Remote) applications. Since the launch of the iRFR app in 2009, ETC’s mobile app sales have generated over half a million dollars in donations to the charity.

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. 

Upon presenting the check, Kirk Starks, ETC Marketing Product Manager said, “We’re overwhelmed by the generosity of our customers. They enable ETC to be their vehicle of support for such an impactful organization year after year. Without them, this donation would not be possible.”

Tobin Neis accepted the check on behalf of the Behind the Scenes Board of Directors. Tobin commented, “We are grateful to the employee owners of ETC for their generosity in donating the proceeds from the iRFR and aRFR apps purchased by ETC control users world-wide. Their donations have been instrumental in providing vital support for our colleagues in need through Behind the Scenes’ Basic Needs and Counseling Grants, and helping expand the BTS Mental Health Initiative.”

Learn more about joining the Pledge-of-Support Program by naming a product or service to support the charity.

Lighting Designer Herrick Goldman, principal of HG Lighting Design, and Kara O’Grady of Evoke Collaborative recently presented Behind the Scenes with a check representing a portion of both firm’s design fees over the last year. This contribution marked HGLD’s sixth and Evoke Collaborative’s fourth annual donation to the charity.

HGLD provides lighting design for theater, live events, permanent installations, film, and television. Evoke Collaborative provides lighting design and content creation, as well as programming and supervision to theater, music, permanent installations, film, and television. Herrick Goldman founder HG Lighting Design and Evoke Collaborative, said upon presenting the check, “I’ve been proud to support Behind the Scenes since I founded HG Lighting Design in 2006. When we created Evoke Collaborative in 2017 it was only logical to continue to support our favorite charity. Now we simply donate twice as much.”

Upon receiving the check, BTS Assistant Director of Cause Marketing, Emily Drew, commented, “We are immensely grateful for the consistent support of HG Lighting Design and Evoke Collaborative as multiyear Pledge-of-Support Partners. It is because of donations like this that Behind the Scenes can continue to fulfill our mission year after year.”

Learn more about joining the Pledge-of-Support Program by naming a product or service to support the charity.

In the afternoons, all attendees are invited to experience short presentations by industry colleagues on a range of topics that can improve your mental and physical wellbeing:

• Eddie Raymond will explain the importance of sleep in his talks on the Biology of Sleep and the Effects of Sleep Deprivation in the Entertainment Industry
• Luther Bell and Molly Michelman will provide a Layperson’s Guide to Eating Healthier on the Road
• David Lincecum will talk about strategies for Staying Sober at the Bar when you feel you have to go to network with colleagues or clients
• Mickey Mazurowski will discuss using Physical Wellness and Pain Management to Support Your Mental Health and show Proper Stretching Techniques on the Job and In Your Life
• Kenton Yeager will offer tips for Integrating Meditation Into Your Workday
• Steven Michelman will provide an Introduction to Mental Health First Aid and discuss Strategies for Overcoming Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Challenges
• Lori Rubinstein will provide an Overview of Tools and Resources offered through the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative.

View the Wellness Lounge schedule and add these special events to your calendar. The presenters will also be available in the Lounge for one-on-one consultations throughout the day.

In addition, BTS is offering NARCAN® Overdose Prevention Training classes on December 3 and 4 through the There is No Hero In Heroin Foundation (tinhih.org). The training covers basic harm reduction principles, basic harm reduction techniques for those with active use, how to identify and respond to an opioid overdose, and how to administer Narcan®. At the end of each free training, certificates of completion and an Overdose Response kit with 2 Nasal Narcan® doses will be provided to all participants. Classes will be offered on Sunday and Monday at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Attendance is limited so stop by the Lounge to sign up for your preferred time.

Attendees can stop by the lounge anytime and visit the Behind the Scenes team to learn about the Mental Health Initiative’s extensive tools and resources and receive valuable information to share with their companies, on the jobsite, or at their union hall.

Mental Health First Aid Training – Tuesday: This day-long class gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support by taking the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, teaching you how to listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support. Advance registration required.

Rise and Shine 5K Run/Walk – Sunday 7:30-8:30am: Join your colleagues for a meaningful stride towards positive mental health and substance use support at the annual 5K  to benefit Behind the Scenes. Lace up your running shoes and be part of a community dedicated to making a difference.

Holiday Shopping: The BTS Boutique will feature unique industry and ghostlight themed holiday cards and decorations. Support Behind the Scenes and spread holiday cheer to family and friends.

Shine a Light Campaign: BTS and LDI invite all exhibitors and attendees to join our “We’re Shining a Light on Mental Health” campaign to help reduce the stigma and encourage people to speak openly about mental health and substance use issues. The booth staff of exhibitors supporting the campaign will be wearing a “We’re Shining a Light on Mental Health” button and attendees can pick up their own at the Wellness Lounge. Join these leading exhibitors who are supporting the campaign: 7^th Sense, ACT Entertainment, CBI Cables, Chauvet, ETC, GLP,  IATSE, iWeiss, Rosco, Spotrack, Texas Scenic Company, Vari-Light, and Vectorworks by contacting BTS Executive Director Lori Rubinstein at [email protected].