Life onset for cast and crew can get a bit… stressful, to say the least. The culture of filmmaking has been historically problematic, Amanda has set out to change that.
In the role of Mental Health Coordinator on set, studio or location, Amanda provides mental health support for cast, crew, and all levels of production. She provides the answer to the age-old question: what do you do when someone onset becomes distressed? And, how can we prevent this from happening in the first place?
Amanda offers a visual presence onset as well as in the production office and is on-hand to help regulate emotions and nervous systems for all parties involved in production. Gone are the days of “nervous breakdowns” in trailers and crew member meltdowns leading to halted projects and traumatized personnel. Amanda provides evidence-based interventions to help lower stress levels as well as conflict resolution strategies and anti-bullying/harassment engagement.
As a licensed therapist, Amanda is an expert at de-escalating and managing heightened emotions and the associated physiological and neurological response. Amanda’s services alleviate stress, prevent conflict, reduce time delays in production, and avoid incurring costs.
The Role of Mental Health Coordinator
As a part of pre-production, Amanda serves to support and advise the Producers and Heads of Department on how to best prevent stress and mental health issues in their cast and crew. Some productions have used Amanda’s support with scheduling sensitive content to lay the foundation of safety and support for those present. She also evaluates script and screenplay content to ensure mental health issues are presented accurately and appropriately with coaching for actors in their portrayal and performance when needed. She is then there onset to support the cast and crew with their own mental health and wellbeing.
This can include:
- Establishing Production Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy
- Production Stress/Mental Health Risk Assessments (Work Environment, Content, Contributors, Pre-Existing Conflict, etc)
- Positive Prevention Initiatives for Production
- Personal Wellbeing Plans for cast and crew, where applicable
- Liaise with Unit/Set Medic
- Review of screenplay with mental health issues to ensure accuracy and appropriateness
- Coaching actors in portrayal of mental health concerns
- Mental Health First Aid and Triage, when necessary
- Non-Clinical Interventions
When Is a Mental Health Coordinator Used?
A production, regardless of its size, is obligated to take preventative measures to reduce stress and protect the mental and physical health of all cast, crew, contributors and contractors regardless of their employment status. A Mental Health Coordinator can save time and money, especially when incorporated early in production planning. Still wondering why film should use a Mental Health Coordinator? Amanda is happy to discuss your project and its specific needs.
Amanda M. Edwards, Mental Health Coordinator
As a licensed therapist, yoga and meditation teacher, actress, and Intimacy Coordinator, Amanda has incredible knowledge of the body, brain, and nervous system in addition to her wisdom of the challenges life onset presents to both cast and crew.
In addition to her clinical skills and education, Amanda is a mom; highly attuned to when someone might need a snack, a water break, or simply a safe shoulder to cry on momentarily in order to get back to work productively and professionally.