October is ADHD Awareness Month and to mark this, we’ve compiled a list of essential resources, initiatives and communities to highlight the different types of support available for creatives.
ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological condition that can impact people’s behaviour.
According to the NHS, “people with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse”. ADHD Awareness Month takes place every year and is aimed at encouraging a greater awareness and understanding of ADHD.
Below are a range of organisations and bodies helping support those with ADHD across the creative industries.
Tonic Music
Tonic Music is a registered charity launched with the manifesto that participation in music activities is a mental health benefit.
Some of its courses and support services are led by qualified mental health professionals and aim to help musicians and industry professionals when engaging with the sector.
For example, the Online Peer Support Group is a six-week online group for people in music with ADHD, facilitated by Adam Ficek and in partnership with Help Musicians UK.
Safe in Our World
Although not specifically aimed at those with ADHD, for five years, Safe in Our World has been promoting positive mental health in the video gaming industry.
According to the organisation, it aims to “deliver support not only for players but also developers, publishers, retailers and all the other incredible folk who make up the video games industry. Our goal is for the industry to come together and start a conversation that can change lives”.
Safe in our World works with other mental health organisations to promote this positive message alongside its own campaigns including Level Up, an initiative to encourage companies to commit to mental health support within the workplace.
It has also created a toolkit outlining guidelines that game companies can integrate into their daily operations.
The Film and TV Charity
The Film and TV Charity provides support for industry professionals across different areas including finance, careers and mental health and wellbeing.
The charity offers a list of resources including its Working Well With Me document, available on its Whole Picture Toolkit website.
This highlights the best ways to create an inclusive work environment, can help mitigate any mental health risks as well as ensure employers understand any reasonable adjustments they might need to make to support those diagnosed with ADHD.
Universal Music | Creative Differences
Universal Music has published what it says is the first handbook for supporting neurodiversity in the creative industries.
Creative Differences looks at the experiences of people with various types of neurodiversity including ASD, ADHD, Tourette’s, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia, and uses them to advise companies on how to be more neurodiverse-friendly.
The guide has been developed together with those with these conditions and experiences of working at a creative company, as well as key organisations working in the field of neurodiversity. It’s an insightful read for all.
ADHD UK
ADHD UK is a charity founded in 2020 with a mission to help those affected by the condition. This includes those that have ADHD or people close to them such as family members, friends, employers, and co-workers.
The charity offers different types of support including research and support alongside advocating for those with ADHD in employment, education, government and healthcare.
As part of its advice, the organisation also provides a range of free resources such as a drop in advice clinic for employees and line managers and open forums for the sharing of knowledge and insights.
the ADHD Advocate
The ADHD Advocate was founded in 2018 by CEO Stephanie Camilleri and provides coaching to help develop clarity, awareness, strategies, and a framework to support individuals with ADHD so they can better manage their ADHD challenges.
Their website hosts a range of great materials for those with ADHD as well as friends, family members and work colleagues.
This includes information on how to get a diagnosis, why seeking support is important, and coaching for different types of individuals and professionals. The organisation also hosts events including its ADHD Coaching Online Summit.
Musicians’ Union | Tristan Hunt
There are plenty of ADHD coaches out there – for those in the music industry, Tristan Hunt has spent two decades forging a career in the sector alongside his own personal experience with ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia.
In this guide for the Musicians’ Union, he’s compiled a list of ten essential pieces of advice for supporting a colleague with ADHD including prioritising clear communication and avoiding stigmatising language.
Find out more
You can also reach out to Tristan via his website for additional information and bespoke support.
Abi Lemon | ADHD Podcast
Abi Lemon is a business coach who focuses on leaders and entrepreneurs with ADHD, and helps them develop ways to bring their multi-passionate brilliance to their work.
In this podcast episode of The Futur, Abi talks about living with ADHD, from childhood to present, some of the exercises she does to help her get through the things she needs to do, and what people with ADHD can do to keep their brain regulated so they can take advantage of who they are.
There are other support services available that, while not specifically aimed at those with ADHD, could still be useful.
Help Musicians UK | Music Minds Matter
Music Minds Matter provides support for music industry professionals going through challenging periods via a series of resources.
They include peer support groups, self-care sessions and a confidential support line that is available 24/7.
Togetherall
Togetherall is a safe and secure online community for those experiencing challenges and issues.
Joining the community enable members to get support from trained professionals as well as connect with those going through similar experiences.
For more information about the support available at SAE, you can email our Student Services teams at our different campuses:
London | studentserviceslondon@sae.edu
Glasgow | studentservicesglasgow@sae.edu
Liverpool | studentservicesliverpool@sae.edu
Leamington Spa | studentservicesleamingtonspa@sae.edu
STUDY AT SAE
SAE offers two-year accelerated degree courses in growth creative media industries – Audio Production, Content Creation & Online Marketing, Game Art Animation, and Games Programming – all aimed at helping the next generation of creative professionals get ahead.
