As many of us in the performing arts industry turned to online delivery through COVID-19, so too did the Arts Wellbeing Collective!
Mental Health Matinées was born out of a desire to connect performing arts workers with pertinent mental health support, advice, tools, and techniques, tailored to the ever-changing landscape we were experiencing.
There are now fifteen one-hour webinars available on demand that cover topics from finding purpose, through to navigating change and uncertainty.
The series commences with Dr Jane Miskovic-Wheatley from Sage Psychology discussing the importance of looking after ourselves and others, and the wide range of supports available to everyone in the performing arts industry – even when we’re not working. Seeking help early, and seeking help often is one of the best things we can do for our mental health and wellbeing.
Psychologist Chris Cheers then delivers a session on self and identity, and the ways in which these can impact our mental health. Chris shares that our values can act as a compass, and gives tools to help set short and long term values-led goals.
Coco Nkrumah from Reality Based Mindfulness takes us into the world of resilience and mindfulness, and bringing our attention into the present moment. This episode offers short guided meditations and practical techniques for connecting with our state of mind and body, and the relationship between self-care and resilience.
Susan Eldridge from Notable Values coaches us through ‘pivots and pirouettes’ – transitioning careers within the performing arts industry. Exploring everything from finances, to working style preferences, and skills and competencies, this session is ideal for anyone considering a new role in this vibrant and complex industry.
If ever there was a voice that could catch you with its lilting tones and gentle kindness, its Jossy Jimenez, from Jossy Jimenez Wellbeing. Jossy guides us in a physical practise for being kind to ourselves – a straightforward way of attending to and comforting yourself when you need it most. Dedicate an hour to connect, rest and repair, where you can switch off from the world and be aided by a humble practitioner. The practises shared are easy, and the results are blissful.
Our sixth episode invites us to navigate through change and uncertainty, with a focus on increasing the flexibility of our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Psychologist and performing artist, Dr Anastasia Hronis, from the Australian Institute of Human Wellness gives us tools to accept that which we can’t control, and empowers us to influence what we can. Anastasia expands our notions of self-care to also include setting boundaries, a critical skill in the performing arts industry.
As restrictions began to ease towards the end of 2020, Glenda Chi from WHY Discovery joined us to discuss the importance of purpose for positive mental health and wellbeing. Glenda shares that, “our purpose shifts our mindset to view our lives holistically.” This perspective shift helps us to navigate short-term challenges, as we always have the ‘big picture’ front of mind.
Next, we have Dr Lou Cooper, an emotions-based therapist from Talking Emotions, who explores how we can understand and utilise our emotions to change and improve our life experience. Lou leads us through identifying what we’re feeling, what needs emerge, and what actions those feelings and needs provoke. This leads us to presence, exploring our emotional state and how our body reacts. If we can identify what may be the root of the emotional state, we can better understand what we – and others – need.
Regular Arts Wellbeing Collective contributor, Deone Zanotto from Performance Based Meditation, leads us through a range of meditation exercises for feeling good in the right now. Deone shares, “Stress is something that we will continue to experience… Meditation is not something that eliminates stress from your life. It actually just gives you the tools to deal with stress and respond to stress in a much more elegant way.”
Mental Health Matinées aim to be timely, and this is no better demonstrated than by Eugene Wong from A Stronger Narrative. Eugene explores sustainable creative practice, and introduces us to the idea the Flourishing Framework – the idea of thriving in what we are doing. Within this framework we explore our basic needs, purpose, belonging, contribution to society, lament and celebration, and sense of meaning. Eugene outlines tangible ways for us to ensure we maintain balance in our lives.
As we approached the end of 2020, we were joined by Jamie Marloo Thomas, a GunaiKurnai man and Maara Descendant, and Co-Creator of Wayapa Wuurrk. Jamie shared with us why is looking after the earth the best way to look after yourself. Jamie led us through a holistic combination of earth mindfulness, storytelling, an embodiment practice of the 14 elements and taking action to look after the environment. Jamie shared, “We need to reset our understanding of wellbeing by embedding ancient ways of knowing, doing and being into our daily lifestyle and re-activate our reciprocal relationship with the Earth.”
A fitting finish to 2020, Jossy Jimenez joins us again to lead us through a self-compassion break. Jossy demonstrates that self-compassion involves being gentle and understanding towards ourselves when we suffer, fail or feel inadequate. Jossy shares the three key components of self-compassion; mindfulness, common humanity, and kindness. It was the perfect end to the year that was 2020.
As we entered 2021, Susan Eldridge delivered her second session, ‘exit stage left’, for those of us who may have been contemplating a new career path outside the arts.
Then, Dr Jane Miskovic-Wheatley joined us again for two sessions that explored how to navigate through the mental health and wellbeing impacts of returning to live performance in COVIDSafe settings.
On the road again and back after interval explore touring, performance, and the challenges of stress and burnout, and are essential viewing for us all as we adapt, respond and create together.
The Arts Wellbeing Collective team would like to thank all of our incredible contributors who have delivered Mental Health Matinées for us so far. We are grateful for your time, expertise, knowledge and experience.
All Mental Health Matinées are available to watch, share, and explore on demand.
