The Unison Fund is Canada’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to the wellbeing of music industry professionals. Unison offers vital support services–including grocery gift card support, emergency financial aid, and mental health counselling–to music workers navigating hard times. The Unison Fund is free to register with and open to all Canadian music industry professionals, however different financial programs have certain eligibility requirements.
The Arts & Entertainment Plan is offered by AFBS to serve performers and writers. As an organization, AFBS understands the unique needs of people who earn their living through their creativity and only insure those working in the artistic community. This is a nationally available health insurance plan that offers guaranteed acceptance, and is easy to join.
Haven believes everyone working in live performance has the right to a safe and respectful workplace. Artists who have experienced or witnessed harassment, bullying, discrimination, or other forms of inappropriate behaviour and unprofessional conduct in the workplace are encouraged to use the form on the website to report the incident(s) to Equity.
The AFC is the “lifeline for Canada’s entertainment industry”; serving people working in the performing arts and entertainment industry through varied programs and supports such as:
- Emergency Financial Aid
- Navigator – free, personalized, and confidential service that connects arts and entertainment industry professionals with mental health resources, programs, and supports through one-on-one phone consultations
- Mental health workshops/events
- Mental Health First Aid training
Workshops for financial wellness and career sustainability and peer support
PAL Canada is an organization that offers services supporting the wellbeing of senior and elderly artist/creatives in Canada, including many virtual socials and masterclasses that allow for companionship, support, and combating isolation.
Prince Edward Island’s various offerings for mental health support include:
- Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line at 1-833-553-6983. Calls are answered by trained mental health professionals (a registered nurse or a social worker) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Walk in to Open Access Counselling to speak with a trained counsellor in person. No appointment is necessary. See locations, hours and phone numbers.
- Contact the Mobile Mental Health Response Service for assessment, treatment and connection to ongoing mental health care during a time of crisis. This service is available via the Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line at 1-833-553-6983, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
PEERS Alliance supports those living with and at risk for HIV, Hep C, and all sexually transmitted infections in PEI by offering a variety of programs and services targeted to diverse communities. PEERS Alliance’s mission is to educate, engage, and support Island residents to build healthier, inclusive communities and to end stigma surrounding sexual health and drug use using a trauma-informed approach. This is done through various educational opportunities, programming, and ongoing advocacy.
PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre is a feminist, survivor-centred, non-profit providing therapeutic services, systems navigation, and prevention and education programming to people who have experienced recent or historic sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse.
PEI has a Restorative Justice program. Restorative Justice is an approach to justice that focuses on addressing the harm caused by crime by providing an opportunity for those harmed and those who take responsibility for the harm to identify and address their needs in the aftermath of a crime.
Community Legal Information (CLI) is a registered charity that provides legal information about PEI’s laws and justice system via phone, email and in-person. They offer a Lawyer Referral Service which includes a brief, low-cost consultation with a lawyer. CLI also offers programs such as:
RISE – free legal resources and support for individuals who experienced sexual or intimate partner violence and workplace sexual harassment
- Renting PEI – legal information for tenants and landlords
- Justice Avenues – legal information for members of racialized communities in the areas of family, immigration and criminal law
Contact: info@legalinfopei.ca, 902-892-0853 or 1-800-240-9798
Bridge the gApp is “a new way to connect with guidance and support for mental health and addictions.” The site offers educational videos in their Knowledge Centre on a variety of topics such as depression, coping with grief, burnout, etc., as well as a service directory organized by county, and online programs.
Music Minds Matter is a 24/7 accessible helpline for those working in the music industry struggling with their mental health. Note that since this is a UK-based company, there may be costs associated with an abroad phone call—check with your provider.
