Mental Health Coordinator

For Screen and Stage

What is a Mental Health Coordinator?

A Mental Health Coordinator (MHC) is a facilitator for the ethical and compelling portrayal of mental health and challenging themes in creative work. An MHC sits at the intersection of artistic storytelling, care-based practice, and psychological & emotional safety They provide support for cast, creative, crew, staff, and audiences alike from pre-production through to post. They are trained in numerous topics (including salutogenic practice, psychology, somatics, crisis intervention, ethics in media, conflict resolution…) in order to better serve a productions needs. 

 

What sets Cheek to Cheek Apart

Dynamic Storytelling

We are committed to realizing the show’s creative vision with an emphasis on authenticity, dignity, and compassion. We practice cultural humility and an intersectional approach. This allows us to serve the story and honor the full humanity of the people telling that story. 

Collaboration

We are here to support. Support the performers, director, producers, creative team, crew, and everyone involved in the process so that they can do their best work. We facilitate open communication across departments, provide salutogenic practices, and act as a resource to production.  

Empowerment

We meet people where they are at. Through ongoing, informed consent and bodily autonomy, we help performers cultivate their own felt sense of agency and safety to allow them to show up fully in their character, serving the story. We provide accessible options, tools for reducing stress, and foster an environment of choice.

Advocacy

We help make the working environment a welcome space for all bodies, identities, genders, intersections and orientations. We acknowledge people’s cultural and historical experience through anti-racism practice, emphasizing dignity, neutrally navigating power dynamics, consultancy, and acting as an emotional support during production. 

 

How Can We Help your project

Some of our services include:

  • acting as an onset advocate, providing psychological and emotional support for cast and crew

  • dramaturgy and consultancy on numerous topics including the ethical portrayal of mental health crises, abuse, and trauma

  • reducing risk (financial, insurance, or market-related) and helping to avoid unnecessary production delays

  • coaching actors in portrayals of mental health challenge

  • content transparency and audience support surrounding challenging themes

  • coordinating across departments and ensuring the process runs smoothly from pre to post production

  • resources and referrals for ongoing support

  • facilitating open and clear communication while neutrally navigating power dynamics

  • and more!