‘Minimum Standards For a Mentally Healthy Music Industry’ Unveiled

The music industry now has a framework to provide psychologically safe workplaces, with the Music Charity Support Act revealing its Minimum Standards for a Mentally Healthy Music Industry.

The standards are voluntary and self-regulatory, but strive to provide proactive measures to address workplace safety issues, including harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, racism, age discrimination, homophobia and transphobia, as well as promoting actions to protect, respond and promote the positive aspects of work that contribute to good mental health.

The Minimum Standards for a Mentally Healthy Music Industry were developed in consultation with representatives of the music industry and regulatory authorities, and are in line with the actions proposed in the National Workplace Initiative of the National Commission on Mental Health.

The initiative will work alongside other Support Act offerings, including the Workplace Wellness Registration Program, Mental Health First Aid Training, Suicide Prevention Training, Active Bystander Training and dedicated First Nations programming.

In addition, the music industry charity has announced the launch of its updated training program next month, ‘Access to all areas: creating a safe and prosperous music industry for all’.

The free online program was developed in partnership with Music Victoria and will teach attendees practical strategies on how to identify and report harmful behavior in the workplace, including harassment, bullying, discrimination and sexual misconduct.

Clive Miller, executive director of the Support Act, said the standards recognize that creating mentally healthy workplaces takes time, requires ongoing attention and may have different requirements for companies of different sizes.

“Our recent research clearly articulated the need for work environments that are safe for everyone’s mental and physical health, and this was strongly reinforced by last week’s launch of the excellent raising their voices report,” he said.

“As a leader in the workplace mental health and wellness space, it was a logical next step to produce a set of minimum standards that would support our music business community in implementing standards that are becoming uniform across the globe. the Australian business landscape.

He encouraged everyone in the industry to show their commitment to making a cultural change and creating a sense of ownership to adopt the standards now.

For support, call Support Law Wellness Helpline a free and confidential advice service available 24/7 for anyone working in Australian music or the performing arts. It includes a dedicated First Nations support line, a sexual health and safety support line, an LGBTQI+ support line and a manager support hotline, which can be accessed by calling 1800 959 500.