Support and advice

The ASD is here for you if you need advice or support. Often that support can be provided by other members who you can reach out to via the email mailing list (which you'll be added to automatically after joining), or via our closed Facebook group.

If you've a more confidential problem, or one not for public discussion, please do email us here. We can offer advice on subsistence and expenses, late and non payment of monies, tax, VAT, agents, bullying and harassment, and any other issues in the workplace. If we can't answer a question we'll try and suggest someone who can.

There are a number of existing resources that can also provide support:

Backup provides financial support to industry technical professionals working in live events, theatre, TV and film. Are you or a family member seriously ill or suffering from an accident and needing support? Is there someone you know who needs help? Backup offers support and help to get you back on your feet.

Theatre Helpline's 24 hour confidential service providing advice & support for any theatre professional with:

• Bullying or harassment
  
• Career issues including professional development & training
  
• Health issues including mental health 
  
• Injury & mobility problems
  
• Retirement & care in later life
  
• Issues with employment or unemployment
  
• Debt & financial issues

They can be reached on 0800 915 4617, or via advice@theatrehelpline.org

Whatever you need to know about coping with stress, anxiety or depression, or just the normal emotional ups and downs of life, the NHS Choices Moodzone is here to help. It offers practical advice, interactive tools, videos and audio guides to help you feel mentally and emotionally better.

ArtsMinds offers advice and support on a wide range of topic, with numerous links to other support networks.

ArtsMinds is a collaborative initiative from BAPAM (British Association of Performing Arts Medicine), Equity, Spotlight and The Stage to bring together into one place a raft of resources for performers and creative practitioners facing mental health issues. Our starting point was to try to uncover the scale of mental health issues within our industry by putting out a survey to our members and networks to which more than 5000 people responded. This site reflects their concerns. One in four people will experience mental health problems each year and it's important we can access the right support when we need it. It's also important to remember that the majority of people will recover from or learn to manage their mental health issue.

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Click the link for contact details.

If you have any advice, or suggestions, please leave a comment below.