My Why
I’m Steph.
I’ve been thinking about my why…I have so many.
I am a casting director and I work in the arts. Which means I see a LOT of actors. Actors are the most beautiful, vulnerable and emotionally plugged-in people - constantly transforming into figures and shapes for us to consume and watch (often with huge judgment and critique from the public eye and often with zero mental health support). I am particularly concerned about our emerging generation and what lies ahead for them. I’m passionate about finding ways to support them beyond the audition room.
Last year, I lost a friend to the impact of the lack of mental health support available not just to actors but to their support network - the ones that are often expected to support, nurture and know what to do and what to say. I see artists, actors, producers, directors and other creatives impacted daily due to the on going pressures of the world and the neglect of our creative industries.
I am passionate myself about mental health and how to better the resources in the community I live and work in - having completed my MHFA earlier this year to try to intervene early with people I see that might be struggling.
I am also mum to a sparkly ND and gender curious kid who is 8 years old and I am constantly pondering my kid’s future and the mental health services on offer.
And selfishly, I’ve always wondered if I could do a 10 day silent retreat, so I guess this is a little stepping stone into that.
Thanks for the opportunity.
