Support Act has announced a raft of new mental health and wellbeing events and training programs specifically for South Australian music workers in 2023.

The events will kick off in Kaurna/Adelaide on Wednesday 1 March with active bystander training Access All Areas, which teaches participants how to actively intervene when witness to sexual harassment, sexual assault and bullying. It will be followed by the nationally accredited Mental Health First Aid on Thursday 2 March, training individuals and teams on how to effectively respond to mental health issues.

Up next will be industry get-together Sound Minds on Monday 20 March, featuring a live panel and Q&A with industry experts. A one-day intensive workshop will follow on Tuesday 21 March – Creative Minds – for artists, musicians and creatives to learn more about creativity and how to harness it. More programs are to be announced throughout the year.

The training and events will be held in partnership with MusicSA and are funded by the South Australian Government’s See it LIVE music package, which provided $250,000 to the charity last year.

Clive Miller, CEO of Support Act explains:“It’s fantastic to be able to bring back another suite of events and training programs to South Australia this year, and we’re hugely grateful to MusicSA and the South Australian Government for their continued support.

“We’re committed to providing dedicated mental health and wellbeing support to everyone working in our industry, and to help build a mentally healthy future for everyone in Australian music.”

Christine Schloithe, CEO of MusicSA adds:“The South Australian Government’s See It Live campaign is hugely important for the local music industry and even more importantly, is investing in the mental health of local artists and operators through Support Act. 

“MusicSA is a very willing partner with Support Act in helping to facilitate free Support Act programs and workshops here in SA. There are training, education and workshop opportunities coming up that are free and available to all people working across the local music industry and we encourage the industry to take advantage of that. 

“We know mental health doesn’t discriminate who it impacts and these are some practical tools and activities that can help.”

In addition to these workshops, all South Australian music and arts workers can access free, confidential phone counselling by calling the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline on 1800 959 500. Clinicians can help manage anxiety or depression, and/or help navigate career concerns, relationship issues, safety at work issues, grief and loss, and much more.

For further information and to register for upcoming events, visit the dedicated South Australian Programs page.