Before TV producer John Balson took his own life, he told loved ones that he wanted to raise awareness about mental health and burnout in the UK screen industry. A month on from news of his death, the early signs are that Balson could leave the legacy he intended.
Balson’s death shook a film and TV business that has long discussed the well-being of crew who stock studio shelves with world-class content, but are always at the sharp end of the sector’s peaks and troughs. His tragic passing has also combined with a conversation about the welfare standards on Strictly Come Dancing, the iconic BBC show that has been tarnished by allegations of bullying and abuse. Other high-profile incidences, such as the allegations against Russell Brand, have brought these discussions to the fore. As one observer puts it, the issues have collided to put “rocket boosters” under conversations about mental health in Britain’s screen business.
