Visit the Behind the Scenes booth #11730 at The NAMM Show to learn about the BTS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative, receive valuable information to post in your workplace, and attend one of their brief presentations to learn about available tools and resources, Mental Health First Aid training, and hear about one person’s journey from the depths of depression to helping others.
Three 20 minute presentations will be offered in the booth each day of the show, all focused on mental health. Steven Michelman, owner of EPS (Entertainment Project Services) will speak about his mental health journey. Learn how industry pressures and previous trauma led to severe anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation and learn where and how he found help. He’ll share what his journey taught him and the response he got when sharing his story with his family, employees and clients.
BTS Principal Trainer, Bryan Huneycutt, will provide an introduction to Mental Health First Aid, a skills-based training course that teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. MHFA takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, teaches how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer a person to appropriate resources. Attendees at any of the sessions will automatically be entered to win one of four free admissions to a Mental Health First Aid virtual training at a savings of $125.
BTS Executive Director, Lori Rubinstein, will provide an overview of the many tools and resources available under the charity’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative including suicide prevention resources, substance use information for all those impacted, the entertainment Industry Therapist Finder, resources to fight bullying and harassment, an anonymous self-assessment tool, and sample language on mental health for safety briefings and meetings.
The Behind the Scenes charity provides entertainment technology professionals who are seriously ill or injured with Basic Needs grants that may be used for living and medical expenses as well as Counseling grants for assistance with mental health and addiction counseling. Our Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative provides tools and resources to support entertainment industry workers and promote mental health and psychological safety.
Further information from Behind the Scenes: behindthescenescharity.org
