Ballet for the 21st Century - Ballet and Mental Health - The Survey Pt I

Emma Lister and cohost Zoë Ashe-Browne released a 30 question survey about ballet dancers' mental health. They never expected the response it got--hundreds of classically trained dancers filled it out. This is obviously a topic we need to talk about!In this, the first episode of MOVERS SHAKERS MAKERS ballet mini-series, they reveal some of the statistics collected, the stories shared and speak candidly about what it all means. Special guests: Barry Drummond, Alex Newton, Shelby Williams—THE SURVEY—30 questions. Completed by over 400 trained ballet dancers. Graduated 2010-2020: 45%  and pre1990-2010: 55% .*Below are only the results discussed in the podcast*SCHOOL LIFETo the best of my knowledge, my school had qualified, professional teachers:Strongly agree 51.69%Agree 37.3%Neither agree nor disagree 6.29%Disagree 3.6%Strongly disagree 1.12%I received a well rounded dance education.  (Not an exhaustive list): injury prevention, professional development, physical maintenance, performance experience, access to counselling, nutrition, other dance forms, dance theory:Yes 52.36%Not sure 10.56%No 37.08%In ballet school I felt I could voice my concerns or questions:Strongly agree 3.37%Agree 15.96%Neither agree nor disagree 22.25%Disagree 35.06%Strongly disagree 23.37I experienced first-hand (either witnessed or personal experienced) verbal abuse from my ballet school staff: bad language, yelling (in anger, not above the music!), comment that made me feel uncomfortable, comment that made me feel bad about myself:Strongly agree 50.11%Agree 31.69%Neither agree nor disagree 5.17%Disagree 10.11%Strongly disagree 2.92%I experienced eating distress in school: guilt after eating, restricted calorie intake, purging, obsessive thoughts about weight, obsessive eating habits, extreme negative thoughts about body shape:I did not suffer from eating distress 18.88%I experienced sexually inappropriate behaviour from staff at my ballet school:Strongly agree 11.01%Agree 19.33%Neither agree nor disagree 10.34%Disagree 31.46%Strongly disagree 27.87%If you experienced sexually inappropriate, homophobic, sexist, racist behaviour, did you report it or talk about with another adult? Yes 12.97%No 58.54%Didn’t know who to report it to 28.48%PROFESSIONAL LIFEIn my career I have predominantly been under the care of professional, experienced staff:Strongly agree 16.97%Agree 40.43%Neither agree nor disagree 21.30%Disagree 18.77%Strongly disagree 2.53%I experienced verbal abuse from staff in my work place (examples as before):Strongly agree 38.04%Agree 35.14%Neither agree nor disagree 10.14%Disagree 11.96%Strong disagree 4.71I have a positive relationship with at least one member of staff where I work/recent long contract:Strongly agree 33.45%Agree 53.09%Neither agree nor disagree 8%Disagree 4%Strong disagree 1.45%I experienced eating distress in professional life (symptoms as before):I did not suffer from eating distress 22.26% I experienced sexually inappropriate behaviour from staff in my work place:Strongly agree 15.58%Agree 25.72%Neither agree nor disagree 13.04%Disagree 26.81%Strong disagree 18.84%I have access to professional help with my mental health through my employer/s:Strongly agree 4.35%Agree 12.32%Neither agree nor disagree 12.32%Disagree 35.51%Strong disagree 35.51%