Education

Equals

Prevention

Applause for thought is a multi-award winning community interest company that facilitates mental health awareness and support within the performing arts industry.

  • We deliver events, talks and workshops about mental health awareness to companies & training institutions in the performing arts industry.

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  • We facilitate accredited MHFA England Mental Health Courses at a 40% discount. To find out more visit our β€œbook a course” page or click the link below.

    BOOK A COURSE

  • Access general and arts related mental health support and resources, our directory of practitioners offering discounted rates to those working in the arts, and our AFT communities by clicking the link below.

    FIND SUPPORT

  • We work with organisations, training establishments and production companies to create bespoke mental health and well-being schemes.

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We all need support sometimes

As a non-profit, Applause for thought provides creative resources, tools, and strategies to support mental health within the performing arts community. Scroll down to find out more about what we offer.

Individuals

The performing arts industry is vibrant but demanding, where creativity meets intense pressure. Individuals in the industry face unique challenges affecting their mental health. The pursuit of excellence can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. As we work under tight deadlines and high expectations, mental health support is crucial. Access to resources and a culture prioritising wellbeing can help you navigate these pressures, fostering resilience and creativity.

  • Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in the UK equips individuals to support those with mental health issues. It covers identifying symptoms, providing initial support, and guiding toward professional help. Participants foster supportive environments and reduce stigma, with training applicable in workplaces, schools, and communities. The goal is to empower mental health first aiders and enhance overall wellbeing.

  • AFT has a directory of fully qualified, industry-informed therapists, counsellors, and coaches, each offering a discount to individuals who reach out through AFT. This discount is available to all, with no means testing required; there's no need to provide a payslip. Whether you're seeking support for personal development, mental health, or guidance, you can access these professional services at a reduced rate.

  • Explore a wealth of general and arts-based resources designed to help you find exactly what you need. Our extensive collection offers a range of strategies and tools tailored to support your search, whether you're looking for practical information or supportive helplines.

  • We facilitate free online monthly group sessions for different communities within the arts. A safe space to connect, learn, share and reflect with each other.

Organisations

In the performing arts, team wellbeing is crucial. AFT partners with organisations to develop tailored packages addressing their unique needs. Our services include group sessions, risk assessments, mental health policies, training and ongoing 1-1 support. We also assist with content warnings and support resources. AFT is committed to prioritising mental health and fostering a positive environment for creativity.

  • Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England training teaches individuals to identify and support employees or faculty facing mental health challenges. In high-pressure organisations, this training is essential for recognising signs of distress, enabling early intervention, and fostering a culture of care. Trained staff can enhance communication and provide necessary resources, leading to improved employee well-being, reduced absenteeism, and better productivity. In stressful environments, MHFA training helps maintain a resilient workforce.

  • If you’d like to get in touch to discuss your organisation’s needs, please email us at info@applauseforthought.co.uk

  • Are you a drama school seeking to enhance your curriculum with a focus on mental health? We have partnered with Crystal Nicholls, ex-performer and coach, to design a programme tailored for the performing arts, equipping students with tools to support mental health and foster resilience. For more information on integrating this into your training, please contact us via info@applauseforthought.co.uk
Applause for thought newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for updates on mental health, insights from practitioners, and the intersection of mental health in the arts.

Latest News

View fullsize Our theme this month with @victoriaabbotttherapy is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) πŸ’­   Unlike traditional approaches that aim to “fix” distress, ACT helps you accept what you can’t control and commit to actions aligne
View fullsize An *almost* full team outing at the launch of @droptheactuk last month 🎭 We are very proud of our @luciet7 for co-founding this new community, and to be a part of supporting its launch πŸš€ Swipe to see how thrilled we are with Raff’s partner
View fullsize ✨ Our new website is LIVE! ✨ Whether you're an individual working in the arts looking for support or an organisation ready to prioritise mental health, we've created our new website with you in mind. 🌿 For individuals, you can now:β€¨πŸ”Ή Access
View fullsize This year, we’re exploring lesser-known therapeutic modalities, and this month we’re focusing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with @victoriaabbotttherapy πŸ’­   ACT is a values-driven approach to mental health that doesn&rsq
View fullsize For all of you in the arts & entertainment industry who are in-between gigs right now - our next free session of 'Applause for the inbetween bit" is open for booking! πŸ‘ Our next session will be on Monday 30th June 6pm - 7pm via Zoom and th
View fullsize We are looking forward to our next Applause for Parents session which will be taking place on Mon 30th June at 11:30am via Zoom. πŸ’» Our next session will explore WORK LIFE BALANCE βš–οΈ As always you can save your free spot by clicking on the link in
View fullsize This month’s thoughts from a therapist theme @victoriaabbotttherapy in line with Mental Health Awareness Week is "Community". πŸ’­ Checking in with someone is not just about asking 'Are you OK?' It is about creating the space where the
View fullsize We’re so excited to be introducing The Graduate Wellbeing Toolkit – a new offering for final year students at drama schools to help them navigate the transition from training to working life. πŸŽ“ This workshop is all about suppo
View fullsize We are delighted to announce that we have added another public online Youth Mental Health First Aid Course - coming up in July! πŸŽ‰ This course is for anyone who works with, lives with, or supports young people aged 8-18. You'll gain: ⭐️An in-depth
View fullsize We were thrilled to be invited to deliver a bespoke workshop for Dewynters, focusing on managing perfectionism, stress and anxiety and boosting creativity πŸ™Œ Thank you so much to @dewynterslondon for facilitating the talk and for everyone who a
View fullsize This month’s thoughts from a therapist theme @victoriaabbotttherapy in line with Mental Health Awareness Week is "Community". πŸ’­ Finding or building your support circle may take time, and that is not a failure. In freelance transient
View fullsize We were thrilled to be asked to deliver a mental health workshop for the team working on the Shubbak Festival last week. πŸ‘ Shubbak (meaning ‘window’ in Arabic) supports and celebrates the diversity of Arab and South West Asian & No
View fullsize As Mental Health Awareness Week comes to a close, we’re excited to share a sneak peek of something we’ve been quietly working on… πŸ‘€ Our newly updated website is nearly here, with a cleaner layout, improved navigation, and a
View fullsize πŸ“£We're really excited to announce our Mental Health Skills for Managers course for 2025 is taking place on Friday 20th June 10am - 2pm πŸ“£ MHFA England's Mental Health Skills for Managers course was developed by workplace mental health experts - thi
View fullsize Due to popular demand, we have added another Adult Mental Health First Aid course in June! πŸŽ‰ The course will be taking place over 4 sessions on: Session 1: Monday 2nd June, 10am – 1:30pm  Session 2: Monday 9th June, 10am - 2pm  Ses

Make a donation.

AFT is a non-profit community interest company dedicated to supporting mental health in the performing arts. Our mission includes enriching the industry through events, bursaries, and outreach programmes designed to benefit artists and the community at large. Every donation made to AFT directly contributes to these initiatives, ensuring that we can provide valuable resources and opportunities for individuals engaged in the performing arts. Thank you for considering a contribution to our cause. Your support makes a meaningful difference.