To truly make a difference, we are urging stakeholders everywhere to acknowledge the inevitable link between mental health and creativity. Companies need to build more open and safe environments, leaders need to become more empathetic, we need better support systems at all creative institutions. But first, we need to fight stigma, and that is a job for all of us.

The

Creative Confessions Pledge & Guidelines

will help you take better care for yourself and others, help end stigma and build a more people-friendly and sustainable creative industry.

I’m want to

become an advocate for change

and therefore

• I will be

  open, friendly

  and

  non-judgmental

  to the people around me.

• I will

  learn more about mental health

  to better help myself and others.

• I will

  dare to ask and listen

  if I think my colleagues or friends are struggling.

• I will share my own experiences

  with mental health to help others feel less lonely and abnormal.

• I will

  be conscious of my language

  ,

  and not use mental health conditions as adjectives.

• I will

  fight workaholism

  by encouraging downtime, vacation and “doing human things”.

• I will

  lead with empathy

  , both OOO and at work.

• I will

  treat myself as I would treat others

  , give myself some slack and not harbor self-stigma. 

SIGN THE PLEDGE

Help struggling creatives feel less lonely and abnormal

by sharing your own experiences with creativity and mental health. And remember:

your mind is your most important tool—

take care of it and reach out to professionals if you need it. We all deserve a balanced mind.