BBC documentary series / Art & Mental health

The BBC Studios Australia is producing a new factual series in Sydney which will explore the science of how art can benefit those who have lived experience with mental health conditions like depression, chronic anxiety, bipolar, PTSD and trauma related disorders.   

We are looking for a small group of people who are based in Sydney and available during the month of November to share their individual stories. The group will explore exactly how being creative has the ability to lower stress levels, provide a calmness to an otherwise hectic mind space, and most importantly, express what some can’t do in words, on camera, through this series.  

With the guidance of industry professionals and the Black Dog Institute, the program will bring together 8 individuals who will share their experiences with some of Australia’s best-known artists.  

This factual series is based on the Art on Prescription program run & developed by the Black Dog Institute.  Participants will be measured during the beginning, middle and end of the series as a means to illustrate exactly how being creative changes the mind space.  

We will look to highlight exactly how creativity allows the mind to find its calm place, and the science behind it. Through the guidance of industry experts we will gain a second hand understanding and appreciation of 8 individuals who each have travelled a separate path. We expect that these participants will inspire hope in others who have similar shared stories.  

We are looking for people of all ages and backgrounds from the Greater Sydney area who have a diagnosed, or self-identify, with a mental health illness to apply to be involved with this series.  Ideally, applicants will have no experience with arts or creative pursuits. What we are looking for is a willingness to try something different. Filming will take place throughout the month of November and participants will be required for approx. 15 days over the course of 4 weeks.