New Partnership Announcement
Ausdance QLD announces a ground-breaking mental health services partnership worth over $100,000 with Hey Mate, a Queensland-based social enterprise that delivers evidence based mental health, wellness support, and education to the music, entertainment, performing arts, creative industries and wider community. This strategic partnership will provide much-needed support to Queensland’s performing arts sector and Ausdance QLD organisational members with heavily discounted access to an Employee Assistance Program.
Ausdance QLD is the peak body & industry association for dance in Queensland. With nearly 1800 engaged members and growing, Ausdance QLD understands member needs. Greater support for the mental health of employers and employees working in the dance sector is required. Research undertaken by Entertainment Assist and Victoria University[1] reveals the following alarming facts;
44% of industry workers have moderate to severe anxiety. This is 10 times higher than the general population.
the levels of depression symptoms are five times higher than general population scores.
This partnership with Hey Mate, with an estimated value of $100,000 to the dance sector, will provide Ausdance QLD organisational members with a discounted rate ($99 per employee) for their employees to join their Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Employees will be able to access three hours per annum of personally designed confidential direct mental health counselling services per annum. This will enable responsible employers such as dance companies, studios and organisations to provide good care for their employees, whilst saving thousands of dollars for this bespoke service.
“Dancers, creators, dance studios and companies need greater s
upport right now. Awareness and action to improve the mental health of dance professionals, teachers and administrators is critical to employee longevity and sustainability of businesses. The services will also help employees manage challenging social issues in the workplace such as bullying or harassment” – Julie Englefield, Executive Director.
The services will be available to all organisational members and First Nations Cultural group members of Ausdance QLD (organisational membership costs $100 per year). Hey Mate and Ausdance QLD will work together to facilitate this program to support member operations and prioritise the health and future generations working in our dance community.
For further information, please contact Ausdance QLD
Email: info@ausdanceqld.org.au
Tel: 0414629643
Interviews available on request with;
· Julie Englefield, Executive Director, Ausdance QLD julie@ausdanceqld.org.au
· Aimee Davies, Founder, Mental Health Educator, Hey Mate aimee@heymateproject.org
[1] World first research by Entertainment Assist in association with Victoria University – Key Findings Working in the Australian Entertainment Industry; Dr J van den Eynde, Prof A Fisher, Assoc Prof C Sonn; Victoria University; October 2016 1