Jade Gordon: creating a safe space for creatives
The effects of the pandemic coupled with unhealthy work cultures has had adverse effects on mental health. It is important, now, more than ever, that employers and unions work together to support workers mental health. Here’s how Jade Gordon, the Mental Health Officer for Bectu’s Unscripted Television branch, has been doing just that.
Jade Gordon is the founder of Creative Train – an organisation that provides career support to diverse new talent looking to start a career in television. Prior to this she was as an Assistant Producer and Talent Coordinator at ITV and Viacom.
Freelancing vs wellbeing
Dignity at Work is at the heart of addressing industry mental health concerns. Insecure employment, long hours culture, lack of protection and support are issues that many workers across the creative industries must tolerate. Jade described the creative industries as a “fun and social” place to be.
“I loved the thrill of looking for my next job. I’d finish on a Wednesday, send CVs out all day Thursday and Friday and land a new job on the Monday… I am amazing at my job because I give it my all. I’m sure many of you relate!”
After maturing and gaining additional responsibilities, Jade said the cracks in the industry started to show and the thrill of precarious regularly changing work turned to pressure from precarious working.
“Many of us have spent years giving everything to the job – extra hours, dual responsibilities, limited breaks, long periods of travel and being away from home… ‘an above and beyond mentality’ that no longer serves us,” says Jade.
Passion vs wellbeing
Jade says that although it’s completely normal to have good days and bad days whilst working in any industry, TV workers are so focused on doing the best job possible that they are often too busy to recognise how they’re actually doing. Jade says “the freelance nature of the industry means we are often hard on ourselves; always performing, always achieving, always selling ourselves and thinking ahead to our next job and pay check. The pressure we put on ourselves can be detrimental to our wellbeing. We can’t afford to be ill or do a bad job as we’re not always eligible for company benefits or entitled to helpful resources as freelancers.”
Mental health meet-ups: A safe space for creative workers
Through her own struggles, Jade found strength by helping others and starting ‘Mental Health Meetups’ where creative workers can talk about their issues in a safe space.
“My passion for supporting the wellbeing of others stems from my own debilitating experiences of poor mental health. During an extremely challenging period of my life, I did not know where to turn to for help. I have since gained empathy and an understanding of mental health, educated and in a position to help others.”
The meetups run fortnightly, they are currently over Zoom and are an opportunity for like–minded professionals to support one another, speak honest conversation or just listen in. They have been running since November and, over the last few months, many Bectu Unscripted members have benefitted. “Some come along regularly, others join occasionally and anyone who needs professional support is directed to appropriate therapy and organisations,” says Jade.
Jade’s hopes for the future
Jade hopes her work with Bectu will inspire others to be honest and prioritise their own wellbeing. “Without our health what do we have? If I can, I’d love to reduce the chances of debilitating experiences for others and encourage colleagues to learn about mental health, taking the wellbeing of their teams into consideration,” says Jade.
A message from Jade to creatives
“We are all susceptible to periods of both good and bad mental health so it’s naïve to believe you’re immune to poor mental health. With greater understanding, we can look after ourselves better as well as support those around us. I hope you’ll be keen to work alongside myself and Bectu to make a small difference. “
Jade Gordon, Mental Health Officer for Bectu Unscripted
The next Mental Health Meetup will be at