Aligning creative vision with a foundation of wellness.

In documentary work, this phase centers on supporting the director’s vision while building practices that prioritize the well-being of participants, crew, and the creative team. A Mental Health Coordinator can help shape the early direction of a project by offering insight into how mental health and trauma-related themes can be explored with care, without compromising artistic intent.

This can include developing wellness strategies for interviews, evaluating potential emotional risks, and framing sensitive stories in ways that are both compelling and sustainable for everyone involved.

In narrative film and live performance, early collaboration can include script review, dramaturgical consultation, and story development support. These approaches help align the creative vision with mental health-informed practices that promote authenticity and reduce harm.

Examples: story framing aligned with directorial goals, participant and crew wellness planning, script review, risk evaluation, early-stage collaboration.

Supportive guidance through emotionally complex work.

In the production phase, support focuses on navigating emotionally sensitive material while maintaining the integrity of the work. This can include preparing teams for high-impact interviews, advising on emotionally safe practices during filming, supporting the well-being of participants throughout the creative process, and offering trauma-informed care.

Support can be provided on set to respond directly to the needs of participants, crew, and creative teams during vulnerable or high-intensity moments.

In narrative and live performance contexts, support can also include wellness and safety planning for actors, crew, and the creative team, as well as choreography or movement consultation and scene-specific advisement to help ensure emotional clarity and safety throughout production and/or performance.

Examples: interview preparation, emotional safety protocols, on-set support, wellness planning for actors and crew, scene consultation.

Sustaining care through completion and public release.

After production ends, support can focus on the emotional impact of the work, on participants, creative teams, and even audiences. In the documentary space, this can include participant aftercare planning, emotional support for crew, guidance around screening content, and helping prepare public-facing materials with care and clarity.

Support can also be provided in-person at screenings, talkbacks, or events to offer grounding during emotionally charged moments and facilitate post-screening processing.

In narrative and live performance contexts, this can include wellness and safety planning for cast and crew during touring or extended runs, post-show debriefs, and support for emotionally demanding material as it moves into public view.

Examples: participant and team aftercare, in-person support at screenings or events, audience preparation, post-performance debriefs, emotional safety planning.