Topics that Benefit from Mental Health Coordination

As our industry grows towards more sustainable creative practice, it can be hard to tell what sorts of stories might need the support of a dedicated mental health coordinator. Below is a list of content types which could warrant additional support in creative spaces in the form of a collaborator or a consultant. Please note that some topics require even further expertise.

Content Notice: This list contains academic and philosophical discussion of dozens of distressing topics, and words are spelled out in their entirety in order to address appropriate content disclosure. Some umbrella topics include mental illness, trauma, violence, identity motivated violence, suicide, sexual assault, suicide, discrimination/bigotry and death.

Intimacy and Relationships

• Nudity - Intimacy Coordinator

• Intimacy/Simulated Sex - Intimacy Coordinator

• Simulated Non-Consensual Sex Acts - Intimacy Coordinator who specializes in this portrayal or IC and Mental Health Coordinator

• Sexual Violence -  Intimacy Coordinator and Stunt Coordinator/Fight Director who specializes in this portrayal while assessing for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator

• Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence - Intimacy Coordinator and Stunt Coordinator who specializes in this portrayal or Stunt Coordinator and Mental Health Coordinator

Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

• Death/Grief/Loss - Assess for the need for a Mental Health Coordinator (Is there a minor involved? Is someone onset actively grieving or experiencing trauma in their lives? Are there pre-existing mental health concerns or communication difficulties among cast/crew? Has someone requested additional mental health support for the project?)

• Death/Grief/Loss of a Child/Infant- Mental Health Coordinator 

• Depiction of Mental Illness/Crisis - Assess for need Mental Health Coordinator

• Suicidal Ideation/Suicide - Mental Health Coordinator

• Portrayal of Addiction - Mental Health Coordinator

• Overdose- Mental Health Coordinator

• Simulated Substance Use- Assess need for Mental Health Coordinator 

• Self-Harm/Non-Suicidal Self-Injury - Mental Health Coordinator

• Minors Onset - Mental Health Coordinator

• Bullying/Harassment- Asses need for Mental Health Coordinator 

• Depiction of Birth, Breastfeeding, Abortion, or Birth Trauma - Intimacy Coordinator who specializes in this portrayal, Medical Consultant, and Mental Health Coordinator if needed

• Portrayal of Disordered Eating - Mental Health Coordinator

• Shooting/Threat of Mass Shooting - Mental Health Coordinator

• Child abuse- Mental Health Coordinator 

• A cast or crew member whose real-life experiences are mirrored by the project (i.e., pre-existing mental health concern, trauma, disordered eating, etc.) - Mental Health Coordinator

• Intensely Vulnerable, Hyper-Exposed, Emotional Moments - Assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator

• Intensely Vulnerable, Hyper-Exposed, Emotional Moments for Minors- Mental Health Coordinator

• Depiction of Panic Attack- Assess the need for a Mental Health Coordinator

Violence and Trauma

• Abuse or Death of an Animal - Assess the need for a Mental Health Coordinator

• Use of Prosthetics Attached to a Performer’s Body- Assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator, Disability Specialist 

• Substance Use - Assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator

• Blood - Assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator

• Torture - Assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator, Stunt Coordinator

• Stalking - Assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator

• Police Brutality/State Violence - Reps on Set, Cultural Consultant, and/or MHC

• War- Assess need for Mental Health Coordinator

• Kidnapping/Abduction - Assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator

• Use of a Theatrical Firearm/Prop Gun - Armor, Gun Wrangler, Assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator (considering potential secondary trauma)

• Use of a Prop Weapon - Assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator, Stunt Coordinator

Cultural and Social Themes

• Anti-Semitism - Cultural Consultant and/or Mental Health Coordinator

• Religious Abuse or Trauma (Weaponization of Religion) - Cultural Consultant, Reps on Set, and/or Mental Health Coordinator

• Racism - Assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator or a resource like Reps on Set

• Ableism - Cultural Consultant, assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator

• Hate Crimes - Cultural Consultant, Reps on Set, and/or Mental Health Coordinator

• Fatphobia- Assess need for Mental Health Coordinator 

• Trauma associated with the trans*, nonbinary, or other gender expansive experiences- Reps on set, assess need for Mental Health Coordinator

• Discrimination- Cultural Consultant, Assess need for Mental Health Coordinator

• Abuse of someone of a marginalized identity - Cultural consultant, reps on set, assess for need for Mental Health Coordinator

Medical and Health-Related Topics

• Medical Trauma, Crisis, or Abuse by a Medical Professional - Both Medical Consultant and Mental Health Coordinator

• Setting of the Story in a Therapy or Mental Hospital/Institution - Mental Health Coordinator or Consultant

• Blood - Assess for the need of a Mental Health Coordinator

• Mental Health Treatment- Assess for need of mental health coordinator 

If you're working on a project and would like to expand your support for addressing challenging topics in your creative space, get in touch with an MHC by clicking below:

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