Behind the Scenes–a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support to entertainment technology professionals during times of need due to serious illness or injury–has reported that more than 3,300 people completed its recent “Survey to Assist in the Development of a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative in the Entertainment Industry.” Respondents shared their stories about personal challenges and struggles or those of friends and family, feedback that is invaluable as Behind the Scenes begins development of this initiative.
Behind the Scenes is analyzing survey responses to gain a deeper understanding of the issues industry members face and the obstacles that might prevent them or those they care about from seeking and utilizing mental health resources. Members of the BTS Mental Health Initiative Steering Committee expressed their appreciation for everyone who participated in the survey–reaching out directly to thank to those for whom the organization had corresponding contact info.
An initial look at the survey results confirmed what many already knew–that the long hours, pressures of deadlines, lack of resources, and uncertainty of employment have taken a very hard toll on the industry. These affect both mental and physical health while impacting relationships with family and friends. Unsurprisingly, over 90% of respondents have experienced anxiety while over 80% have suffered from depression.
What is also apparent from the responses, and very encouraging, is that many individuals want to step up and help colleagues they feel are struggling. However many who want to help simply don’t know how and are very concerned that they might make things worse by getting involved in the wrong way. Behind the Scenes’ goal is to provide information and resources that will give industry members the confidence to act.
Local school staple “Lost on a Mountain in Maine” from 1939 hits the big screen nationwide
Most Maine schoolchildren know about the boy lost for more than a week in 1939 after climbing the state's tallest mountain. Now the rest of the U.S. is getting in on the story.
Opening in 650 movie theaters on Friday, "Lost on a Mountain in Maine" tells the harrowing tale of 12-year-old Donn Fendler, who spent nine days on Mount Katahdin and the surrounding wilderness before being rescued. The gripping story of survival commanded the nation's attention in the days before World War II and the boy's grit earned an award from the president.
For decades, Fendler and Joseph B. Egan's book, published the same year as the rescue, has been required reading in many Maine classrooms, like third-grade teacher Kimberly Nielsen's.
"I love that the overarching theme is that Donn never gave up. He just never quits. He goes and goes," said Nielsen, a teacher at Crooked River Elementary School in Casco, who also read the book multiple times with her own kids.
Separated from his hiking group in bad weather atop Mount Katahdin, Fendler used techniques learned as a Boy Scout to survive. He made his way through the woods to the east branch of the Penobscot River, where he was found more than 30 miles (48 kilometers) from where he started. Bruised and cut, starved and without pants or shoes, he survived nine days by eating berries and lost 15 pounds (7 kilograms).
The boy's peril sparked a massive search and was the focus of newspaper headlines and nightly radio broadcasts. Hundreds of volunteers streamed into the region to help.
The movie builds on the children's book, as told by Fendler to Egan, by drawing upon additional interviews and archival footage to reinforce the importance of family, faith and community during difficult times,... Read More