The Behind The Scenes Wellness Lounge will once again shine a light on mental health issues in the LDI 2025 Expo Hall. Launched in 2023, the Wellness Lounge provides a safe space in an informal environment to learn about mental and physical health through daily presentations, activities, and one-on-one discussions
“Working in our industry is hard both physically and mentally,” says Behind the Scenes executive director Lori Rubinstein. “From NARCAN training to presentations on the importance and science of sleep, helping a colleague struggling with substance misuse, learning techniques to safely intervene when you witness bullying and harassment, and much more, the Wellness Lounge provides tips for self-care, assisting your colleagues, and making your workplaces mentally and emotionally healthier."
The following are among the sessions to be presented at the 2025 Behind The Scenes Wellness Lounge (additional sessions and a day-by-day schedule will be available online; all sessions subject to change):
Cup of Coffee Yoga: If you have time for a cup of coffee, you can do this brief yoga practice with Deanna Fitzgerald, Dean of the School of Fine Arts at the University of Connecticut and USA Lighting Designer. No special costumes, props, yoga mats, or experience are required. This simple combination of small movements and breathing can be the same as your first cup of coffee every day. Come wearing jeans, a business suit, or a skirt/kilt. It takes only 15 minutes and can help set you up for a calmer day!
Overview of Mental Health Tools & Resources: BTS Executive Director Lori Rubinstein will provide a 20-minute overview of the many tools and resources available under the charity’s Mental Health Initiative, including suicide prevention resources, substance use information for all those impacted, the Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder, resources to fight bullying and harassment, Mental Health First Aid Training, and sample language on mental health for safety briefings and meetings.
Staying Sober at the Bar: ETC Vice President of High-End Systems and International Operations, David Lincecum, asks, “Are you sober or sober-curious?” One of the more challenging times may be when you are in social situations – parties, bars, and dinners. This short talk will provide answers to some of these questions and help prepare you to take positive action. This content is also available as a webinar for your union local, company or other professional organization.
Dealing with Substance Misuse in the Workplace – Why and How to Help Your Colleagues: We have all come across a situation where someone you worked with showed clear signs of problematic use of drugs or alcohol in the workplace. Have you wondered why you might want to help – and how you could help? Have you wondered if you have obligations based on your position? This preview of a webinar developed by the Behind the Scenes Substance Use Task Group will provide answers to some of these questions and help prepare you to take positive action. Presented by task group member David Lincecum, ETC Vice President of High-End Systems and International Operations.
The Biology of Sleep: What Goes on in our brains and bodies while we sleep: Most of us are woefully unaware of the myriad of processes in our bodies while we sleep. In this session, we will talk briefly about why we get sleepy and some of the healthful things that occur in the various stages of sleep. This 30-minute session is presented by retired Safety & Training Director of IATSE Local 16, Eddie Raymond.
The Effects of Sleep Deprivation in the Entertainment Industry: In an industry structured around “efficiency” and pragmatism, little or no credence is given to the long-lasting damage done to our brains and bodies when we are regularly deprived of proper sleep. In this session, we will look at various afflictions caused by this reality and some strategies to get better sleep. This 30-minute session is presented by retired Safety & Training Director of IATSE Local 16, Eddie Raymond.
Bystander Intervention: Do you know how to safely intervene if you see a co-worker being bullied or intimidated? Did you know there are different ways to intervene to match your comfort level? Join Jillian Beggs, IATSE member and Program Director of BTS, and learn practical techniques to assist yourself and others in these all-too-common situations in the workplace as Behind the Scenes presents: the 5Ds of Bystander Intervention, developed by Right To Be.
NARCAN® Overdose Prevention Training: Offered through the There is No Hero In Heroin Foundation (tinhih.org), the training covers basic harm reduction principles, basic harm reduction techniques for those with active use, how to identify and respond to an opioid overdose, and how to administer Narcan®. At the end of each free training, an Overdose Response kit with 2 Nasal Narcan® doses will be provided to all participants while supplies last.
All sessions in the Wellness Lounge are included with an LDI Expo Hall Pass. Early-bird registration opens on June 18, 2025 at ldishow.com.