Behind the Scenes Announces Spring and Summer Mental Health Trainings

Behind the Scenes' Mental Health Initiative is offering a fresh schedule of virtual training, designed to equip participants to recognize and respond when colleagues are facing mental health or substance use challenges or experiencing bullying and harassment.

The webinar titled Dealing with Alcohol and Substance Use Issues in the Workplace: Why and How We Help will take place on Monday, April 27, at 7pm ET. This interactive event, developed by industry professionals with lived experience alongside an addiction specialist, provides practical tools to help you respond. Attendees will learn how to recognize the signs of addiction, start a conversation with someone they're concerned about, navigate situations where they may not be ready to seek help, and understand available treatment options and industry resources. The session also addresses both short-term and ongoing work relationships, as well as union and employer responsibilities. Attendance is free, but advance registration at btshelp.org/workplace is required to receive the log-in details.

Upcoming virtual classes in Mental Health First Aid are being offered on April 24, May 14, and June 15. The classes offer practical tools to listen without judgment, provide reassurance, and connect colleagues to appropriate professional support. The course is delivered in two parts. The first is a two-hour self-paced online course that must be completed before an interactive six-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. Go to btshelp.org/mhfa to register.

Private group classes of 10 -25 are also available. Contact mhfa@btshelp.org for information.

The webinar titled Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Workplace will be held April 24 and July 13. This 90-minute training gives attendees five simple, effective tools to safely intervene in bullying and harassment situations -- no guesswork, no escalation. The webinar is free, but advance registration at btshelp.org/bystander is required to receive the Zoom login.

Behind the Scenes is partnering with Right To Be, a social justice organization specializing in education around bullying and harassment, to present these free interactive webinars. The webinars are sponsored by the IATSE International and are open to all entertainment industry workers.