Reflections and a Call to Action for Mental Health in Event Safety
Insights from the 2024 Event Safety Alliance Canada Conference
by Leslie Bennett, Partner at Mental Health Innovations
The 2024 Event Safety Alliance Canada (ESAC) conference in Vancouver offered a unique window into the mental health landscape within event safety. Through conversations with peers, we saw both exciting growth and concerning gaps in how psychological health is being addressed. Many attendees showed a deep commitment to advancing mental health, though the industry is still in the early stages of implementing meaningful support. With ESAC positioned to champion change, we reflect here on the conference insights that can help inspire a healthier, more resilient industry for all.
Building Awareness: Mental Health Innovations at ESAC
Attending ESAC allowed us to build brand awareness and connect with like-minded individuals. Many of those we met were eager to explore collaborative efforts in mental health, a strong indication of the growing recognition that psychological safety is an essential component of event safety.
These connections represent promising steps forward, but to create real change, the entire industry must unite behind a vision that includes mental health support as an integral aspect of workplace safety.
“See Something, Say Something”: Expanding a Trusted Approach to Psychological Safety
The “See Something, Say Something” mindset, traditionally focused on physical safety, has long been an essential protocol for identifying risks before they become crises. This approach can—and should—extend to psychological safety as well. Just as event safety professionals are trained to speak up when they notice a physical hazard, they should also feel empowered to address warning signs of mental health challenges, such as signs of burnout, emotional distress, or substance misuse. By adopting “See Something, Say Something” for mental health, we can normalize discussions about psychological well-being and encourage proactive support.
At ESAC, we observed that many individuals wanted to help colleagues facing mental health struggles but felt they lacked the tools to do so. “See Something, Say Something” for mental health could serve as a simple, intuitive entry point, enabling team members to recognize and address early signs of distress, much like they would report a safety risk. This paradigm shift would ensure that psychological safety becomes a daily practice—one that fosters a culture of care, vigilance, and support within teams.
Equipping Teams with Supportive Tools: WeCARE and Opening the Door to Support
Addressing mental health in the workplace requires more than awareness—it calls for practical skills and the confidence to use them. Programs like WeCARE and Opening the Door to Support provide structured approaches that empower teams to support one another effectively:
WeCARE Psychological Safety Training: WeCARE is our comprehensive psychological safety program, designed to equip employees with supportive communication skills that encourage open dialogue, recognize signs of stress, and build trust. This training goes beyond basic mental health awareness by teaching team members how to ask the right questions, respect boundaries, and create a workplace environment where colleagues feel comfortable seeking and offering support. The program’s goal is to prevent minor stressors from escalating into larger issues by empowering employees to intervene supportively and safely. WeCARE represents a proactive approach to mental health that builds the skills necessary for a psychologically safe workplace—skills that could be transformative for the event safety industry.
Opening the Door to Support: Developed by MHI specifically for the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA), Opening the Door to Support is a custom eLearning program tailored to the high-pressure, labor-intensive work environments of industries like construction and trades. This program provides supervisors, and team leads with skills to recognize and respond to stress in themselves and their teams. By focusing on the unique lived experiences of these sectors, Opening the Door to Support serves as a model for other industries—such as event safety—that face similarly demanding conditions. Equipping team members with strategies to manage stress and support one another, the program fosters resilient teams and supportive workplace cultures, which are crucial to reducing turnover and burnout.
By integrating training programs like WeCARE and Opening the Door to Support, the event safety industry can foster a culture where every employee feels confident and supported in addressing mental health challenges among their peers.
Industry Barriers and Opportunities for Mental Health Progress
While there is growing awareness of mental health, significant barriers within the industry prevent meaningful progress:
Temporary Workforce: Many event professionals work short-term gigs, which can foster a “someone else’s problem” mindset toward mental health. Without long-term bonds, it becomes harder to establish the trust and continuity necessary for effective support.
Resource Access: The industry frequently assembles international teams for temporary projects, limiting access to consistent mental health resources that could address the needs of all team members.
Cultural Attitudes: The “show must go on” mentality pressures workers to endure burnout and exhaustion. Integrating psychological safety into this culture requires reframing mental health support as a core component of team readiness and resilience.
Lack of Research: A perception persists that there is insufficient research to justify dedicated mental health initiatives. Yet, data from other high-risk industries show that addressing mental health reduces turnover, increases productivity, and enhances team cohesion.
Potential for ESAC to Lead the Change
With these challenges in mind, ESAC is uniquely positioned to lead a culture shift within event safety. Some concrete steps include:
Promoting a “See Something, Say Something” Mental Health Protocol: ESAC can advocate for this mindset shift, encouraging members to identify and act on psychological as well as physical risks. Incorporating mental health into everyday safety protocols would encourage vigilance, openness, and early intervention.
Union Partnerships: Strengthening ties with unions can help build a robust support network for workers across projects. Presently, union involvement is limited, focusing primarily on helplines. Enhanced union partnerships could lead to more substantial, sustained mental health support.
Training Resources: Many companies already provide physical safety training; adding psychological safety training would be a natural evolution. Online training modules could empower team members with actionable tools for supporting colleagues in need.
Learning from Harm Reduction: Some festivals, like Shambhala, have led the way in harm reduction with initiatives like on-site drug testing and care programs. The event safety industry can adopt similar strategies, integrating psychological safety training and protocols as part of their core operations.
Collaborative Potential with Existing Mental Health Organizations
While the event safety sector has limited mental health resources, organizations such as Set Project, Act Safe Safety Association, and Good Night Out are making inroads. These groups focus on specific areas within events—like film and nightlife—but represent the start of a larger conversation. ESAC can learn from and support these initiatives, expanding their reach and integrating their insights into a broader, industry-wide framework.
A Community Eager for Change: Questions from ESAC Participants
Many attendees posed thoughtful questions, reflecting a readiness to make mental health a fundamental part of everyday safety.
Common questions included:
How can we advocate for mental health initiatives when resources are limited?
Where should companies begin if they’re new to psychological safety practices?
How can we effectively advocate for psychological health and safety when leadership remains unconvinced of its necessity?
These inquiries underscore both the desire for change and the need for practical guidance. Programs like WeCARE and Opening the Door to Support offer structured, actionable support that can help answer these questions and provide a foundation for safer, more resilient workplaces.
Moving Forward: A Call to Action for a Healthier, Safer Industry
ESAC can play a pivotal role in advancing mental health awareness, advocacy, and practical support across event safety. To help lead this transformation, we propose the following actions:
Adopt “See Something, Say Something” for Psychological Safety: Encourage industry-wide adoption of this approach to foster a culture where mental health is part of everyday safety practices. Training team members to recognize signs of distress and speak up will create a supportive environment where everyone plays a role in protecting psychological well-being.
Invest in Proactive Resources and Training: Programs like WeCARE and Opening the Door to Support offer structured approaches that can help the event industry integrate mental health training as a core competency.
Establish Collaborative Partnerships: Engage with unions, mental health organizations, and industry partners to create a shared network of resources. By pooling knowledge and resources, ESAC can provide its members with access to support systems that enhance resilience.
Lead by Example with Research-Backed Initiatives: Prioritize research that documents the value of psychological safety in event settings. This evidence can help build the case for a culture where mental health is integrated into safety protocols, thereby reducing turnover, burnout, and long-term mental health issues.
Closing Reflection
The ESAC conference made one thing clear: the industry is ready for a change. By expanding the “See Something, Say Something” approach to include mental health, we can build a foundation for psychological safety that empowers every team member to speak up, support one another, and create a healthier work environment. Let’s work together to move from awareness to action, ensuring that every event professional has the resources and support they need to thrive.
With this shift, we have the opportunity to make the event safety industry a model of psychological and physical resilience. The time for change is now—let’s take the first steps forward together.