Dance in the Time of Corona - Dancers' Mental Health During the Pandemic

The last 18 months have been a trying time for everyone’s mental health. But how have dancers been uniquely affected? A group of artists whose lives and identities are notoriously tied up in training and career—what happened when the theatres went dark and the studios fell silent?Through interviews with a range of dancers, host Emma Lister explores mental health during the pandemic— taking in depression, PTSD, body image issues, substance abuse…and some surprising positive effects too!Interviewees:Isaac BowryCrystal CostaAsh MukherjeeVanessa Vince Pangwith Kristen McGarrity, BSc (Hons) PsychologySURVEY RESULTSHas the Covid-19 pandemic affected your mental health negatively? (you can tick multiple) Anxiety | 73.65% Depression | 51.26% Insomnia | 31.77% Loneliness | 51.26% Boredom | 50.9% Fear | 44.04% Anger | 35.38% Obsessive behaviour | 19.13% Alcohol/substance abuse | 13.36% Stress | 64.98% PTSD | 6.86% Suicidal Thoughts | 9.75% No it hasn't affected me negatively | 4.69%Has the Covid-19 pandemic affected your mental health positively? (you can tick multiple)Time to reflect | 67.03%Time to rest | 63.41%Time to heal (physically or mentally) | 46.38%Spend more time with loved ones | 52.54%Reconnected with people | 28.62%No, there have been no positives | 5.43%REFERENCESPubMed articleForbes articleIn the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email [email protected] or [email protected] the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 or chat for supportOther international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.orgKristen’s references:Cooley, C.H. (1902) Human Nature and the Social Order, New York, Scribner.Hollway, W. (2012) Social Psychology Matter, The Open University, Milton Keynes, Chapter 5: Self, pp. 123 - 124.Mind.org.uk