Creative Mates to Support Mental Health in the Creative Sector
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Hey Mate, a Queensland-based social enterprise focused on mental health and wellbeing, will deliver Creative Mates Brisbane, a new initiative designed to strengthen mental health literacy, suicide prevention awareness and support pathways for Brisbane's creative workforce.
The organisation supports artists, performers, freelancers, technicians, producers, arts organisations and community groups through counselling, wellbeing workshops, mental health education and community-based support programs. Its work recognises the unique pressures faced by creative workers, including insecure employment, financial stress, burnout, isolation and limited access to workplace wellbeing services.
Creative Mates Brisbane responds to growing concern about mental health challenges within the creative sector, where workers often experience higher levels of psychological distress than the broader population. Many people working in project-based and freelance roles face barriers to seeking support and may lack the knowledge or confidence to recognise signs of distress in themselves or others.
The project will deliver three free workshops in Brisbane, providing practical information on mental health, suicide prevention, recognising signs of distress, having supportive conversations and connecting people with appropriate professional and community support services. Participants will gain tools and strategies to support their own wellbeing while helping build a more supportive and resilient creative community.
A Brisbane Creative Support Pathway Resource will also be developed, giving creative workers clear information about available local mental health, crisis and community support services. This resource will help participants better understand where to seek help and how to support others who may be experiencing mental health challenges.
In addition, a community awareness campaign will promote help-seeking, challenge stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health and wellbeing across the creative sector.
The initiative is intended to support Brisbane's diverse creative community, with a particular focus on reaching culturally and linguistically diverse creatives and LGBTQIAP+ community members who may experience additional barriers to accessing safe, inclusive and culturally appropriate support.
By combining education, practical resources and community engagement, Creative Mates Brisbane aims to improve mental health awareness, strengthen early intervention and help create a creative sector where people feel supported, connected and confident in accessing help when they need it. The project reflects Hey Mate's ongoing commitment to building healthier, more sustainable creative communities across Queensland.