Behind the Scenes Announces Next Virtual Trainings

Behind the Scenes announces its winter/spring virtual training sessions.

Mental Health First Aid virtual classes are posted for January 30 at 12pm Eastern and February 22 at 12pm Eastern at btshelp.org/mhfa.

Attendees will learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of distress in colleagues and help make our workplaces healthier and safer spaces. In a statement, the association says, "Mental Health First Aid 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. You will be able to use the information you learn every day in interactions with your co-workers as well as friends and family."

The course is delivered in two parts. The first is a two-hour self-paced online course that must be completed prior to 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.

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

Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Workplace will be held on Monday, February 2 at 6pm ET; Friday, April 24 at 12pm ET; and Monday, July 13 at 6pm ET. This 90-minute, interactive webinar teaches five easily accessible tools for use in any workplace to intervene without the worry of retaliation. According to BTS, "Entertainment industry-specific scenarios will help attendees to understand how to choose tools to match your comfort level and include ways to help protect yourself and others in the future."

The webinar is free, but advance registration at btshelp.org/bystander is required to receive the Zoom log-in. Behind the Scenes continues to partner with Right To Be to present these ongoing webinars, which are sponsored by the IATSE International and are open to all entertainment industry workers.

This webinar is offered as part of an ongoing "Stop Bullying" campaign by the BTS Mental Health Initiative. Available resources include downloadable materials to raise awareness of bullying behavior, actions that can be taken to mitigate harm to yourself and/or others, as well as sample policies and procedures for your workplace.