People in performing arts twice as likely to have depression, Equity finds

A man wearing a face mask walks past a shop in London with signs in the window supporting arts professionals, in July 2021. Photograph: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

People working in entertainment and performing arts are twice as likely to experience depression as the general population, according to a review of more than 100 academic studies.

The impact of Covid restrictions on theatres and other venues in 2020 and 2021 had exacerbated contributory factors such as job insecurity and low pay, said the performing arts practitioners’ union, Equity, which commissioned the review.