Following on the intense interest shown last year, Behind the Scenes and LDI are pleased to bring back the Wellness Lounge to LDI 2024, December 8-10 in Las Vegas. The Wellness Lounge offers attendees a safe space to learn about mental and physical health through daily presentations, activities, and one-on-one consultations. From picking up tips on self-care to learning about ways to make your workplaces mentally and emotionally healthier, your industry colleagues will offer short presentations throughout the three-day show as well as be available to speak privately.  

Join us each morning for coffee followed by “Cup of Coffee Yoga” where no experience, equipment, or special attire is required. We’re also bringing back the popular Overdose Prevention Training courtesy of the There is No Hero in Heroin Foundation. 

The presentation topics include the biology of sleep and the impacts of sleep deprivation, how to eat healthier on the road, dealing with substance misuse in the workplace and tips on staying sober at the bar, techniques for finding mind-body balance, bystander intervention techniques, navigating mental health in the workplace and strategies for positive change, mental health guides and standards in the entertainment workplace, and mental health tools and resources available to everyone.

Presenters, who will be available to speak individually with attendees throughout the day, include Jillian Beggs, Luther Bell, David Lincecum, Steven Michelman, Eddie Raymond, Lori Rubinstein, and Kayleigh Truman. Check out the Wellness Lounge schedule and add these special events to your calendars. 

The Overdose Prevention Training covers basic harm reduction principles, basic harm reduction techniques for those with active use, how to identify and respond to an opioid overdose, and how to administer Narcan®. These 20-minute trainings will be held on Sunday and Monday at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. At the end of each free training an Overdose Response kit with 2 Nasal Narcan® doses will be provided to all participants while supplies last. 

Attendees can stop by the lounge anytime and visit the Behind the Scenes team to learn about the Mental Health Initiative’s extensive tools and resources and receive valuable information participants can share with their companies, on the jobsite, or at their union hall.

On Sunday, December 8 from 7:30-8:30 am LDI is hosting the Rise and Shine 5K to benefit the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative. Join your colleagues for a meaningful stride towards positive mental health and substance use support at the annual 5K Rise and Shine Walk/Run. Lace-up your running shoes and be part of a community dedicated to making a difference. Run with purpose, run with heart – every step counts as you come together to support a worthy cause. 

On Tuesday, December 10, Steven Michelman will offer a Mental Health First Aid training. This day-long class teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance misuse. It gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support by taking the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, teaching you how to listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support. Upon completing the course you will become a certified Mental Health First Aider, valid for three years. You will need to register for this class in advance. IATSE members may be eligible for reimbursement from the Training Trust Fund.

BTS and LDI invite all exhibitors and attendees to join our “We’re Shining a Light on Mental Health” campaign to help reduce the stigma and encourage people to speak openly about mental health and substance use issues. The booth staff of exhibitors supporting the campaign will be wearing a “We’re Shining a Light on Mental Health” button and attendees can pick up their own at the Wellness Lounge. Join these exhibitors who have made early pledges to support the campaign: ACT Entertainment, CBI Cables, Chauvet, ETC, GLP, IATSE, iWeiss, Martin by Harmon, Spotrack, TMB, Texas Scenic Company, Vari-Lite, and Vectorworks by contacting shinealight@btshelp.org.