There is a crisis in our industry.

WECA is ready to act.

Behind the scenes and curtains of great productions in the United States lies the harsh reality that the work often takes a toll on the mental and emotional wellbeing of those dedicating their lives to the creation of art.

What’s worse, there’s a profound lack of accessible resources, and the impacts are costing people their health, their time, their creativity, and even their lives.

The Problem

  • 55%

    of entertainment workers have contemplated suicide

  • 75%

    of entertainment workers experience panic attacks or other anxiety symptoms

  • 64%

    of entertainment workers struggle with depression

  • 41%

    of entertainment workers use alcohol to deal with work-related stress

The Solution

Wellbeing in Entertainment and Creative Arts (WECA) is a nonprofit catalyst for change, guiding the industry toward a future where health, safety, resilience, and thriving are the norm. 

For over a year, WECA has been convening a coalition of mental health and wellbeing professionals, entertainment workers, and HR leaders to collaborate on new visions for health and wellbeing in the industry.

WECA has revealed there is a critical need – and market gap – for resources, training, and support. In partnership with Shaina Fawn, LCSW (Therapeutic Bridges) and Ari Simon (Grief at Work), WECA is ready to build the first US-based platform for mental health & wellbeing resources designed for the entertainment industry. But we need your support!

WECA’s mission is to ensure the entertainment industry is guided by trauma-informed principles, by which the health, safety, and wellbeing of artists and entertainment workers are prioritized throughout the entire creative process, from pre to post-production. WECA is committed to decreasing mental health stigma, increasing access to supportive tools and resources, and establishing baseline standards for wellbeing-certified productions.

Uplifting Through Your Support

Dina H., IATSE Set Dresser

“I’ve worked as a set dresser in New York City for over a decade.  When I’m working full time, I generally average only about 4-6 hours of sleep a night due to the demands of the shooting schedule.  While on set I am lucky if I get a 30-minute lunch break at the 6th hour and generally work 12-13 hour days.  This type of work life has left no room for self-care or to spend time with my family.”

Tyee Tilghman, SAG Actor

“It’s important to me to be involved in this kind of work because as an actor I've definitely had experiences of mental health stress in training programs and preparation timelines, the demands of being on sets and stages, as well as the adrenaline rush of being behind the camera with preparation timelines going over schedules and hours.  I’ve also witnessed the demands placed on students that I'm currently teaching in the classroom and the training programs that I now work with, and I actively work to ensure mental health is discussed openly as much as possible.”

Kayleigh Truman, IATSE Stagehand

“The Entertainment industry is chaotic at best, and keeping that chaos from infecting your wellbeing is challenging to say the least. This is an issue I’ve faced almost every day as a stagehand. I’ve worked on multiple shows where the needs of a moving light were taken more seriously than the needs of the crew. Even a basic show gets maintenance time to keep it running. Check all the gear, tighten the cables, clean the lenses… but us? Our “maintenance” like laundry and sleep are luxuries that someone else is willing to work without. Collaboration is the keystone of entertainment and WECA is working to bring us all together towards positive change.”

Shaina Fawn, Mental Health Clinician and Researcher

“I moved to Los Angeles in 2013 and have been adjacent to the entertainment industry since that time. I have witnessed the ways in which the industry has failed to respond appropriately to mental health needs. I have heard stories of burnout, psychosis, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, depression, and debilitating performance anxiety. I have heard stories of discrimination, racism, long work hours, financial uncertainty, botched auditions, and unreasonable expectations.  I can unequivocally say that this industry desperately needs an overhaul - one that supports mental health, wellbeing, diversity and equity initiatives, and trauma-informed approaches.”

Be a Catalyst

We invite you to be a pivotal force in reshaping the entertainment and creative arts industry into a place of healing, health, and growth. Here's how you can be a part of this transformative movement:

Donate: Your contribution, regardless of size, will directly fund the development of our trauma-informed programs, workshops, and resources.

Spread the Word: Amplify WECA’s message through social media, events, and your connections. Together, we can reach those who have been silently yearning for these kinds of wellbeing tools and resources.

Volunteer: As a volunteer, you'll have the chance to contribute to meaningful projects that have a positive impact on the lives of individuals working in the entertainment industry. We have a wide range of opportunities to match your interests and skills.

Collaborate for Change: If your organization is aligned with our vision, let's collaborate to bring healing to more creative workers together.

With your support, we can begin to build the types of programs, resources, and offerings that every worker across the entertainment industry deserves.

As a registered 501(c)(3), your contribution to WECA is tax deductible.

Join us in creating an entertainment industry where everyone’s mental and emotional health is supported and wellbeing is the cornerstone.