Mental Health Week 2025: Unmasking the Strain We’ve Been Carrying
- Calltime Mental Health
- May 5
- 3 min read
Updated: May 5
May 5–11, 2025 (Canadian Mental Health Association)
Working in the film and motion picture sector has always asked a lot of us.
But in recent years, it’s been asking even more.
First came the pandemic shutdowns. Then the writers' and actors' strikes of 2023. Even now, productions haven’t fully bounced back - and many of our peers are still facing unpredictable work, long gaps between gigs, and financial uncertainty.
Add to that the background noise of world events, political tensions, and most recently, a heartbreaking local tragedy here in Vancouver, and it’s clear:
We’ve been carrying more than just gear and call sheets.
We’ve been carrying a lot of invisible weight, too.
Mental Health Week 2025: Why “Unmasking” Matters
This year’s Mental Health Week theme, Unmasking Mental Health, feels more relevant than ever.
Masking means hiding or suppressing our real emotions to fit in, survive, or protect ourselves.
In the film world, where reputation, teamwork, and contracts can feel fragile, many of us have gotten good, possibly too good, at masking. We smile through burnout. We joke through anxiety. We hustle through grief. All the while wondering if anyone else feels the same.
As the CMHA points out, masking sometimes helps us navigate difficult spaces, but when it becomes our everyday survival strategy, it slowly chips away at our health
The Compounding Strain: Why So Many Are Struggling Right Now
It’s important to name it:
A 30 - 40% decrease in productions since 2023 means fewer jobs, more competition, and less financial security.
Global conflicts and uncertainty have raised anxiety levels across the board.
A recent act of violence in our own Vancouver community has shaken many of us, even if we don’t talk about it out loud.
All of this adds layers to the invisible load we’re carrying and makes it even more tempting to throw on a mask and keep pushing.
But here’s the truth:
It’s not weakness to feel the impact. It’s human.
What Masking Looks Like on Set - and Off
Masking doesn’t always mean putting on a fake smile. It can look like:
Keeping your struggles to yourself so you "don't seem like a problem."
Overworking to prove you're still "grateful" for the work you have.
Laughing off hurtful comments or exhaustion because "that's just the business."
Feeling isolated but showing up anyway, because not working feels worse.
When the culture tells us to be tough, grateful, and “fine” at all costs, it’s easy to fall into masking without even realizing it
Why It Matters to Unmask (Even a Little)
When we constantly hide what we're going through, it doesn't actually make the stress go away, it builds up inside.Research shows that chronic masking can lead to burnout, depression, anxiety, and disconnection from yourself and others.
Unmasking doesn't mean putting all your emotions on display. It means allowing yourself, even in small moments, to be real.
Maybe it’s telling a trusted coworker you’re not doing great.
Maybe it’s admitting you’re tired, instead of soldiering through.
Maybe it’s saying no to something that would stretch you too thin.
Even small unmasking moments can be powerful acts of self-care.
Some Reflection Prompts for Mental Health Week
If you want to check in with yourself this week, here are a few adapted prompts from the CMHA’s Mental Health Week Unmasking Journal:
Where or when do I feel safest to be myself?
What emotions have I been pushing down to “get through”?
Who in my circle feels safe enough for me to be honest with?
What’s one small way I could take care of my mental health this week?
What We Can Do for Each Other
In a tough industry like ours, peer support makes all the difference.
Listen without judgment when someone shares how they’re really doing.
Remind each other that struggling doesn’t make you less professional.
Encourage peers to reach out for help early, before things feel overwhelming.
Share resources, workshops, and mental health programs freely.
When we take care of each other, we take care of the future of our whole community.
If You're Struggling: You're Not Alone
We know many of our peers are still fighting to stay afloat right now mentally, emotionally, financially.
Please don’t wait until it feels unbearable to reach out.
Calltime Mental Health: calltimementalhealth.com
EFAP/MAP Services through your union benefits plan(free and confidential)
24/7 mental health supports in BC: 988 Suicide Crisis Line; 310-6789 BC Mental Health Support Line
This Mental Health Week, let's give ourselves and each other the space to unmask.
You’re more than the face you show at work, and you deserve support, connection, and care.
To learn more about Mental Health Week and access the campaigns info sheets and campaign resources go to:
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