World Mental Health Day shines a light on mental health experiences.

Now, more than ever, we must recognise the importance of mental health, how it is intrinsically connected to our physical health, and how we can care for ourselves and each other, support community, sensitivity and share experiences and offer solidarity.

In 2020, The World Health Organisation, United for Global Mental Health and the World Federation for Mental Health issued a press release calling for greater recognition of the need for support services, citing:

“Mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health. Close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder, 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol and one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide. And now, billions of people around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having a further impact on people’s mental health.

“Yet, relatively few people around the world have access to quality mental health services. In low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders receive no treatment for their condition at all. Furthermore, stigma, discrimination, punitive legislation and human rights abuses are still widespread.”

Often misrepresented, mental health stories on screen can add to stigma around mental health conditions. Taking opportunities to raise awareness, and supporting education, cinemas across the UK are screening films to broaden understanding about mental health experiences, and ignite important discussions about how we look after each other.

Many d/Deaf people report bad experiences in cinemas such as poor customer service, or lack of subtitles on advertised screenings. Because of this, cinema trips can become stressful. d/Deaf audiences of colour may feel further reluctance to go to the cinema if they’ve experienced racial prejudice or don’t feel represented in their cinema. Running a club that supports an intersectional audience in this way creates a safe space for d/Deaf audiences of colour and can provide valuable cultural experiences and social opportunities.

Things to think about

1. Brand the film club, if you can, to give it a strong sense of identity. The catchier the name the better, as it will help with name recognition and perhaps merchandising down the line.
2. Seek endorsement from D/deaf organisations such as BDA (British Deaf Association) and bloggers e.g. Limping Chicken.
3. Enhance your screenings with a forum/extra activity. Create a space for conversation, friendships to flourish, and discussion and debate.
4. Offer food, even just a tea and biscuit break. If you can do something more exciting e.g. ethnic even better. Who doesn’t love free food?!
5. Evaluate through surveys and/or your forum. Collate feedback and use it to improve events on the go. Think about being creative and using visual mechanisms like dot voting or smiley faces. Take feedback well and try not to be offended. Value their opinion and do your best to listen. Discrimination of D/deaf people is called ‘Audism’ and they are probably wary of hearing people, so be understanding if they need to vent.
6. Develop leaders in the group and empower them with responsibility/autonomy, don’t mother or smother. Set up a small committee or steering group, if possible, which will give them even more status and hopefully pride in what they are doing and something that they can add to their CV. Encourage CODAs (Children of D/deaf Adults) and their family members to get involved as well.
7. Consider people with hearing loss who do not sign (e.g. due to old age or through damage) and prefer oralism. Decide if you can also cater for them within the same group.
8. Keep jobs simple and manageable though for the steering group. We’re looking to build confidence, not overwhelm people. Examples of roles can include: –
   – photographer/videographer (they can simply use their mobile phone and upload to – Facebook page/group)
   – someone in charge of registration/surveys
   – additional ushers to support staff
   – someone in charge of refreshments
   – talent booker
   – creator of signed YouTube promos
   – social media manager
9. If you have the choice, find a venue with a great manager who cares. Consider also the demographic of your region, and if your location makes sense. Is it close to the community you’re trying to welcome?
10. Use Whatsapp or a Facebook group to communicate (so you don’t have to worry about book an interpreter everytime you want to liaise with them) with steering group and it could be an easy way to set up film club membership as well. Having that could be a lot less work than maintaining and updating a website for the film club.
11. Set frequency of meetings to discuss managing the film club. If turnout is low, then arrange to meet an hour or so before the event so they can go and enjoy themselves afterwards.
12. Rotate the programme so that it reflects different issues e.g. nationality, race, gender, sexuality, disability etc. in order to represent the intersectionality of the group and make them feel acknowledged on an individual basis. Note that the group might sign in different languages and may not be familiar with BSL or English in general.
13. Use Silent, Anime and World Cinema screenings as an opportunity to draw in the D/deaf and HoH community to your venue and integrate with your mainstream audience. Make sure the film is in the subtitled version, if relevant, as sometimes foreign films drop into English conversation.
14. Learn the tastes of your steering group so that you are able to support their choices of film as there could be many that they have not heard of, let alone seen different genres. When showing them trailers, choose the CC (Closed Caption) option on YouTube, where possible.
15. Consider Black History Month and/or Disability History Month as time for extra celebration or a special season, especially if you are not able to provide an all year round programme.

Relaxed screenings are screenings where the environment has been adapted to be more welcoming and accessible to people with additional needs.

These could be people living with dementia, autism, or other neurodiverse people. These screenings are identifiable by some adjustments such as altered lighting, volume of sound, arrangement of the venue, and usually don’t have trailers, and customers are encouraged to get up and move around, or speak or make noise if they want to/feel the need to. Screenings are usually introduced so that everyone attending realises talking and movement is allowed.

There is a detailed dementia-friendly screenings guide available here for those looking to run specific dementia-friendly screenings.

Dimensions, UKCA and FAN are collaborating on a comprehensive autism-friendly screenings guide currently, which will be shared in 2019.

In preparation

1. Talk to your customers about what you can do to make your cinema, social spaces and box office more accessible for people with specific needs.
2. Talk to knowledgeable organisations such as Alzheimer’s Society, Dimensions, Scope, Mencap, or local organisations to get their input on your cinema.
3. Train up your staff with briefings and/or formal training.
4. Market your event well in advance and across multiple channels. Consider leafleting public places like doctors surgeries, shopping locations and community centres.
5. You may want to create a social story for your film, showing the audience images of the venue, parking, box office, cafe and screen, and even detailing some plot points and information about characters in the film, so they know what to expect on arrival.
6. Only sell 75% of the screen capacity so there is plenty of room around and the audience doesn’t feel crowded or overwhelmed.

In the venue

1. Improve signage by using accessible black and yellow recommended signs (these can be temporary printouts) with images that are recognisable and simple.
2. Allow room for mobility aids and more seating in areas where people may need to queue – box office/cafe.
3. Create a chillout space where people can go and relax if they find the experience overwhelming.
4. Double your volunteers supporting the event, so there are plenty of hands to help people move around and get comfortable.
5. Consider rearranging the screen so people can sit more comfortably – you may want to use sofas and beanbags over your formal seating, if your cinema is capable of this.
6. Consider turning the lights up and the volume down to adapt for people with sensory sensitivities.
7. Open the screen half an hour early so people can arrive and get settled and you can start on time. If you need to start the film late, explain to the audience that this is happening. This should ideally only be in the event that you are assisting a customer into the cinema.
8. Allow people to sit where they like. Booked seats can be troublesome.
9. Introduce the screening to explain what adjustments have been made and to let everyone know talking and movement is allowed.