Summer/Fall Virtual Trainings Announced by Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative

The Behind the Scenes (BTS) Mental Health Initiative is offering a variety of upcoming virtual trainings to help 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.

Mental Health First Aid More than 1,700 entertainment industry professionals have become certified mental health first aiders who take the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, teach how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer to appropriate professional support.

Mental Health First Aid virtual classes for summer and early fall are posted for July 24, August 17, and September 21 at btshelp.org/mhfa. 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.

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

Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Workplace: Have you ever witnessed a co-worker being bullied or intimidated? 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 to receive the Zoom log-in. The final 2025 date is 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.

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