Minding Creative Minds (MCM) has officially kickstarted its video awareness campaign to emphasise exactly how far-reaching the organisation aims to be - focusing on creatives from every field within the arts sector.

MCM hope the videos will speak to the creative community, allowing them the choice to get vital mental health services, life advice, career help and more. It's the ideal way to unify an entire sector which was deeply affected by the Covid-19 restrictions, with many artists made redundant or forced to abandon their industry entirely.

The initiative, which had been in planning since 2018 by Choice Music Prize co-founder, artist manager and psychotherapy graduate Dave Reid, was launched during the summer of 2020. Initially, Minding Creative Minds services were open to the music sector only; including artists, artist managers, support staff and live music events staff, however, as a direct result of additional funding within six months the organisation’s services were opened up to the entire creative sector; almost one year ahead of schedule.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, Catherine Martin TD, recently expressed delight at being able to deliver funding to Minding Creative Minds this year.

"Given the difficulties faced by the arts and culture sectors during the pandemic this initiative has been an important intervention to support wellbeing in the creative community," Minister Martin stated. "Throughout 2021 Minding Creative Minds have continued to develop and expand their support for the Irish Creative Sector both home and abroad and I would like to congratulate them on the valuable services they provide. Covid continues to present a major challenge to the arts and culture sector and this uncertainty is very difficult to deal with and Minding Creative Minds is a key support for creatives at this challenging time.”

Over the 17 months since its launch in 2020, Minding Creative Minds has facilitated in the region of 1,000 hours of support across three areas; 1. In the moment support, 2. service sessions advice (legal, financial, career etc.) and 3. support counselling sessions. This number is quite significant, but MCM want to take this even further.

“Our message is simple, with a few key guide markers; Minding Creative Minds was established specifically for our creative sector, for its people, for our needs," MCM founder Dave Reid explains. "Regardless of your job in the sector; whether you are a stage performer or if you work in a support role; you are in the Irish Creative sector and our services are available to you."

Minding Creative Minds offer a wide range of support services, from mental health support and counselling to advice on practical issues (legal, financial, life coaching, career advice, administrative questions around your business if you are self-employed and much more).

"Our focus is to support the entire individual," Reid continued. "It is hugely important to us that our colleagues and peers in our sector truly believe no issue is too trivial. You do not need to be in a crisis situation to contact us. You will hear us say and write this quite a lot!  If you have anything on your mind whatsoever, contact us and let us help you. Our services are free to the user and confidential. So, if you have considered contacting us, but didn’t please follow through. We want to help.”

Minding Creative Minds' counselling services (in association with Spectrum Life) include: a 24/7 dedicated phone line; short-term intervention, phone counselling, secure video counselling and comprehensive web portal and app enabling live chat function with a counsellor.

• Minding Creative Minds services can now be contacted by texting ‘Hi’ to 087 369 0010 for SMS & WhatsApp Support (standard rate applies) with a qualified psychotherapist / counsellor.

Check out Minding Creative Minds' second video in the campaign, aimed at those in TV, Film & Media, below: