🌱Every Month is Mental Health Month🌱

Hey there, wonderful filmmaker!

Mental health awareness doesn’t end with May. For those of us working in the film world, the emotional load of this industry is real: long hours, unpredictable schedules, financial insecurity, and constant pressure to prove ourselves all take their toll.

And it’s not just about burnout.

Sometimes it shows up in more subtle ways like feeling numb toward your work, brushing off praise, becoming overly critical of yourself, or isolating from others. You might tell yourself you’re “just tired” or “too busy to think about it,” but underneath the hustle, something’s off.

It’s time to start listening to those signals.

😞Not Just a Bad Day: 🚨Signs Your Mental Health Might Need Attention🚨

Everyone has rough days, but when certain feelings stick around, it’s worth pausing and asking why. Here are some things to watch for in yourself and others:

• You’ve lost interest☹️ in projects that once excited you.

• You isolate 😵‍💫- skipping hangouts, avoiding messages, ghosting collaborators.

• You downplay your wins🫤 or assume you’re not good enough, even when others tell you otherwise.

• You feel constantly on edge 🤬- irritated by small things or emotionally shut down.

• You’re in a persistent fog 😶‍🌫️ - not sad exactly, but not motivated either.

• You notice extreme highs and lows😍😡, but no steady middle.

These aren’t personality quirks - they’re signs that something deeper is going on. And while this industry can make those feelings seem “normal,” they don’t have to be.

What You Can Do (And What You Deserve)

Caring for your mental health isn’t self-indulgent. It’s necessary if you want to make meaningful work and live a sustainable life. Here’s where you can start:

• Talk to someone👩🏻👨🏻 Whether it’s a trusted friend or a therapist, just saying how you feel out loud can help untangle it.

• Build non-work routines⚽️🧘🏻‍♀️ Your worth isn't just in your output. Make space for hobbies, nature, stillness.

• Check in with your thoughts💭 If your inner voice is constantly dismissive or cruel, it’s time to reframe gently and with help, if needed.

• Use grounding tools📖 Breathwork, journaling, stretching - they’re not cures, but they help you stay connected to your body.

Know that help exists. Mental health resources, peer support groups, artist-friendly therapy services - there are more than you think, and many are affordable or sliding scale.

You’re Not Alone

Being in film often means wearing multiple hats, taking on invisible labor, and trying to keep it together no matter what. But you don’t have to do it all in silence. Others are feeling it too even the people who look like they’ve made it.

Let’s create a culture where we check in on each other, celebrate rest, and talk about the hard stuff without shame. Because while the hustle is loud, so is your well-being - if you’re willing to hear it.

Here in the ConneKt Film community, we are proud to launch the #notjustafilmmaker initiative created to help our film community slow down, reconnect, and build real support beyond the hustle. After the success of our previous Film Flow, we are excited to do it again on July 11th and August 9th. You can grab your ticket here.

Every month should be mental health month. Let’s start acting like it.

With warm hugs and best wishes,
The ConneKt Film Team