Minding Creative Minds delivers mental health and practical guidance for the arts sector
Minding Creative Minds (MCM), Ireland’s first 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support programme for the creative community, continues to expand its services for those working in the arts. The programme, delivered in partnership with Spectrum Life, offers free and confidential counselling alongside a range of practical supports for artists and creative professionals.
Core services include a dedicated 24/7 phone line (1800 814 244), telephone and secure video counselling, and specialist trauma and abuse counselling. Those affected by trauma or sexual abuse can access immediate support and up to 12 free sessions with a trauma counsellor. Support is also available through SMS or WhatsApp by texting “Hi” to 087 369 0010, connecting users with a qualified psychotherapist or counsellor.
An extensive web portal and app provide live chat with counsellors, while additional services offer guidance on day-to-day matters that can contribute to stress. Registered users can avail of 30 minutes of free advice per topic in areas such as taxation, mortgage queries, household budgeting, debt management, and retirement planning. Other supports include legal assistance, career coaching, mediation services, and help for non-Irish nationals navigating Irish systems.
MCM services are open to professionals from across the creative sector, including musicians, actors, writers, filmmakers, visual artists, dancers, spoken word artists, comedians, arts administrators, and performance artists.
The organisation also runs a programme of events designed to support professional development. In September, these include the Creative Career Recharge series of online workshops, covering topics such as maintaining a positive mindset (3 September, 1pm), career planning (3 September, 6pm), goal-setting (10 September, 1pm), business essentials (10 September, 6pm), developing a marketing strategy (17 September, 1pm), and funding applications (17 September, 6pm). An online career clinic will take place on 10 September at 6.30pm, offering one-to-one sessions with creative industry specialists.
The month will conclude with MCM’s informal online Meet and Greet on 29 September at 7pm, where attendees set the agenda.
Full details of services and events are available at mindingcreativeminds.ie.
