Mental Health First Aid
Join the over 1800 entertainment industry professionals who are making a real difference in their workplaces by becoming a certified Mental Health First Aider. Expand your skill sets by learning how to identify, understand and respond to signs of distress in your colleagues and help make our workplaces healthier and safer spaces. Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, teaches how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer to appropriate professional support. You will be able to use the information you learn every day in interactions with your co-workers as well as friends and family.
Winter 2026 Mental Health First Aid virtual classes are posted for January 30th at 12pm Eastern and February 22nd at 12pm Eastern at btshelp.org/mhfa. The course is delivered in two parts. The first is a 2 hour self-paced online course that must be completed prior to an interactive 6 hour virtual, live instructor-led session.
The registration fee is $125. IATSE Members and those working under IATSE agreements may be eligible for Training Trust Fund reimbursement upon proof of successful completion of the course. A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available to individuals not eligible for reimbursement.
Private group classes of 10 -25 are available – contact here for information.
Learn How to Safely Intervene to Prevent Workplace Bullying
Bullying, harassment, and intimidation remain a challenge across all sectors of the entertainment industry. Whether experienced directly or witnessed in the workplace, these behaviors create ongoing stress, leaving individuals unsure of how to respond without risk to their personal safety or livelihood.
How many times have you seen a co-worker bullied or harassed and felt like you couldn’t say or do something to safely intervene for fear of reprisal or even losing work? Would you like to feel prepared to safely intervene on behalf of yourself or another?
Join Behind the Scenes for: Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Workplace on Monday, February 2nd at 6pm ET, Friday April 24th at 12pm ET and Monday July 13th at 6pm ET. This 90-minute, interactive webinar teaches five easily accessible tools for use in any workplace to intervene without the worry of retaliation. Entertainment industry specific scenarios will help you understand how to choose tools to match your comfort level and include ways to help protect yourself and others in the future.
This webinar is free, but advance registration at btshelp.org/bystander is required to receive the zoom login. Behind the Scenes continues to partner with Right To Be to present these ongoing webinars which are sponsored by the IATSE International and are open to all entertainment industry workers.
This webinar is offered as part of an ongoing “Stop Bullying” campaign by the BTS Mental Health Initiative. Available resources include downloadable materials to raise awareness of bullying behavior, actions that can be taken to mitigate harm to yourself and/or others, as well as sample policies and procedures for your workplace.
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For many 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, USITT included, donations are a lifeline. We are able to continue to expand our online offerings to our Members and to our industry thanks to Membership dollars and the generosity of our donors.