Why is Mental Health in the Animation Industry an Issue?
- Jun 27, 2024
- 10 min read
Updated: Mar 6
TL;DR - Mental health is a growing concern across the animation industry, and addressing it will require everyone involved: creators, managers, and studios.
Mental health in the animation industry is a prevalent issue that is almost synonymous with its nature, with issues like crunch culture and financial instability as key factors.
The first step of dealing with mental health in this industry is awareness of its signs, symptoms and impacts for not only animators but animation studios as a whole.
Whether you’re an independent creator or the owner of an animation studio, improving the stigma of mental health requires working together to help shape new standards for the creative industry.
The topic of mental health and work-life balance in the animation industry is nowhere near new. Yet, despite the concept’s age, the practice of a positive work environment, like work boundaries and mental health awareness, is still heavily stigmatised.
In a study about Occupational Stress in the Animation Industry by Pisapati, it was found that team members tended to experience “various mental health problems” stemming from their animation work. They find that employees' stress and mental health are compromised and need professional help to improve their condition.
In this article, we cover the factors that influence the mental state of animators, and from both individual and industrial points of view, the steps to be taken to improve the stigma of creative mental health.
Table of Contents
Why Creative Mental Health is a Growing Issue in the Animation Industry
Despite the love and passion that come with this industry, little is done to ensure animators are secure and satisfied in their work. We often hear stories of animators leaving projects halfway because of several factors, such as:
Crunch Culture
A rising issue in multiple industries, including the animation industry, is ‘crunch culture’. This usually refers to employees continuously working unreasonably long working hours to meet impossible deadlines, which can be both physically and mentally taxing. This causes a lot of animation stress among animators.
Poor sleep, not being physically active, and constant high levels of stress can take a toll on your body. Chronic insomnia could lead to fluctuations in weight, hypertension, and diabetes, while brain fog and impaired memory could lead to accidents at work.
Moreover, the crunch culture raises concerns about the long-term impact on the animation industry's health and sustainability, especially for smaller production teams.
Demotivation
Demotivation can heavily impact an individual’s mental health in the long term. Causes could vary significantly from person to person, but a likely demotivator is underpayment. According to a survey done on the Japanese animation industry by NAFCA.jp, animators are underpaid.
The study found that around 37.7% of the surveyed animators make less than 200,000 yen ($1,320) monthly, while the median monthly salary in Japan was 329,859 yen ($2,200). In Alderfer’s 1969 human need theory, pay falls under “Existence” needs—a category of the bare minimum requirements, which promise demotivation when they fail to be met.
These poor animation working conditions are, unfortunately, not new in the industry. Animators have spoken up about this, but it has fallen on deaf ears.
Understaffed Studios
When studios or projects have an insufficient workforce, it’s inevitable for workers to have to cover more ground to meet deadlines. As a result, individuals spread themselves thin by bearing the burdens of workloads meant for two or more people.
This employee experience may eventually lead to higher stress and lack of sleep, symptoms not dissimilar to the previously mentioned crunch culture. Additionally, the team in a studio would have less available time to support each other and create a positive work culture.
It is clear that the mental conditions of animators influence productivity, efficiency and turnover rates, and it’s likely that this impacts the growth of a business. But it is important to not only acknowledge this issue from a corporate standpoint but also from an empathetic point of view. Only then can sincere efforts be made, and in turn, change can be implemented sustainably and effectively.
Financial Instability
Other than demotivation, the low pay or inconsistent pay of an animator (whether in a hired company or freelancing) can cause a long-term psychological impact. The lack of financial security makes it harder for animators in general to turn away from projects that don’t pay well but are enough to get them by.
This financial issue could negatively impact animators. Not only would it affect them mentally, but it could also affect them physically, as excessive worry would affect their quality of sleep and rest. Or even chronic headaches and digestive issues.
With such health worries, animators with financial difficulties would also be less likely to seek medical help, as it would only set them back money-wise. So, not only will financial instability affect them mentally, but also physically.
Possible Isolation Among Animators
In an animation studio, one might expect that a group of animators would be gathered together in one area. However, due to the nature of their work, they rarely have the opportunity to collaborate or interact with one another.
Animators often work independently on different parts of an animation project, resulting in minimal collaboration with other animators. Spending long hours in isolation, despite working within a team, could affect you negatively.
The lack of social connection could not only increase the risk of mental health issues, but studies have also shown that prolonged isolation can negatively impact cognitive function and increase the risk of other physical issues.
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues in Animation Professionals
The work process that animators must go through is highly stressful. Not only are the technical aspects of animation demanding, but this industry comes with tight deadlines, difficult clients, and periods of isolation during focused work.
Here are the symptoms that you should look out for among your fellow animators:
Always anxious
Excessive worry
Social withdrawal
Negative self-perception that leads to guilt
Feelings of worthlessness
Lack of enjoyment or persistent sadness and low mood
Low energy from poor sleep quality
Chronic stress and fatigue
Health and digestive issues
If you have a few of these symptoms, check in with yourself and take a proper rest. It may be difficult at first, but it will prevent long-term effects. There is a way to rest without guilt. Additionally, if these symptoms persist, consider reaching out for professional help. While we understand it is not easy to do this, we highly encourage you to seek consultation. Bring a friend you trust to keep you company, too!
The Impacts of Ignoring Creative Mental Health
Towards Creatives' Ability to Create
The correlation between the creative’s state of mind and their skills to create beautiful works of art is intermingled. When animators are expected to constantly create and pump out artwork, it’s essential for them to sustain a healthy mind. For example, without a healthy creative mind, achieving the natural flow state would be difficult (despite the inherent nature of stepping into that state).
Lead to Prolong Creative Burnout
As the health and mind of a creative slowly 'drain out’, the joy and passion that used to fuel it run out, and actually, creative juices can’t run on ‘empty’.
As much as a car needs fuel to keep running, it works the same with creative minds. But, when burnout hits, activities that have once inspired and fuelled become a source of creative exhaustion or an animation burnout, if you will, as an animator. Creatives would feel jaded and apathetic, resulting in an inability to start projects.
Decline in Physical Health
Stress not only affects the mind but could also lead to physical issues. You may notice that when you’re anxious or too worried to sleep, your body’s energy tends to be on the lower side, and you feel almost akin to having a fever.
It may seem odd for this to stem from mental health, but your mind and body are interconnected in more ways than one. Or, something as simple as feeling embarrassed about something, heat would rise in your body, and you would feel warm. And meditation that calms the mind relaxes your body.
The Ripple Effect: Mental Health's Impact on Team Dynamics
When you’re working in a team, poor mental health can affect the whole team’s dynamics. When your energy is off, it ripples and affects how others cooperate with you.
Issues in Communication and Collaboration
When animators are riddled with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues, the potential risk of misunderstandings and conflicts within the team increases. There would be a lack of trust and safety to express concerns or even ideas. This would affect the ability to collaborate or to solve problems of communication.
Reduced Productivity and Performance
Poor mental health would affect the focus and motivation of an animator, leading to an increase in errors or delayed work. They would be less engaged and productive when they are at work, and those who are aware of their struggle with mental health might take days off. Whether they are dealing with issues of mental health or burnout, they would still impact their work performance, causing animation teams to have delays in their work.
How Can We Improve Mental Health in the Animation Industry?
Leadership and The Industry Responsibility
Provide Support for Your Artists and Animators
The best way to prevent poor mental health in the animation industry is to instil a people-centric company culture. Prioritise looking at your artists as people instead of just their work, and success will follow suit
Cultivating transparency between teammates, conducting more training, providing team-building activities or one-on-one sessions, and taking action against obstacles that prevent artists from performing their best. Not only will this improve employees' performance, but it will also provide opportunities for growth and motivation as the artists are listened to and supported. This could also make a difference in their mental health.
Address Prolonged Understaffing Issues
It is advisable for companies to quickly sort out any understaffing problems when managing animation projects. While it’s true that the hiring process is costly and can take time and effort (screening, onboarding and training), it is a worthy investment.
When workloads are spread more evenly and reasonably, your artists are likely to be happier. They’d have more time on their hands to spend on both their health and the quality of their work.
Notably, it’s important to be able to gain more insight into your team’s mental health to ensure that they aren’t overloaded with work and that it is distributed equally. Using a project management tool, such as TESSR, will help you cover this area with its Insights feature.
It is undeniable that as a company grows larger, it gets harder to manage and maintain a people-orientated work environment. But so long as effort is put into working towards healthier workplace conditions, mental health in the animation industry should not deteriorate significantly.
What Studios Can Do
Structural Changes to Work Culture
Studios that understand the importance of sustainable work also understand that pushing creatives beyond their capacity can impact long-term goals. Creating structures and workflows that complement the flexible nature of creatives and animators prevents overworking them. Doing so requires the right tool that supports transparency, seamless communication and activity logs that can store renditions for future references.
For example, the Review feature from TESSR allows a more efficient way to give feedback and comments to animators, especially. Not only does it log activities of the previous feedback, but it also allows reviewers to directly highlight and draw on the scene itself. Even assigning action items without needing to switch tabs.
Implement Creative Retrospectives
Retrospectives are a way for leaders and teams to reflect on their tasks, and it doesn’t have to be at the end of a project. And it doesn’t have to be boring! Creative retrospectives implement a bit of fun in achieving the objectives of improving collaboration and driving actionable improvements. Take advantage of collaborative tools that encourage your creatives to draw, colour and add something fun into the mix of sharing insights.
The Individual
As creatives and animators, how can you ensure better mental health while pursuing a career in the animation industry?
Find Balance
By introducing self-care into your routine, mental health can become manageable. Essentially, it is important to set realistic personal goals and expectations. Don’t overpromise—be honest about your abilities, but avoid underestimating yourself either.
Most importantly, ask yourself why you have set the goals you have. Are the reasons superficial or for your own growth? Remove or replace the standards you have set for yourself if they are based on an external party. This way, you are in control.
Exercise Your Creative Freedom
Your mental health does not cease to matter outside of work either. Consequently, self-care should still be practised in your free time. This is not limited to indulgence but could extend to further explorations of art.
Engage in creation outside of work as an outlet, but also as a reminder of why you have chosen this field. When what you’re passionate about starts to feel like a chore or a daunting task, consider visiting it in a context outside the pressures of work.
Seeking support is just as valid as other options. Confiding in friends and family, or getting professional help, does not make an individual weak. It takes a different kind of courage to reach out!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is poor mental health common in the animation industry?
Tight deadlines, long working hours, and burnt-out and exhausted employees are some complaints we hear from the industry. Moreover, the animation industry often demands that animators produce high-quality work and creative perfection, sometimes with little recognition or fair compensation.
Despite that, employers would still insist on a limited budget. Hence, it produces problems in animation that affect the final output quality. A common issue that animation fans would highlight when watching animated shows.
How can I tell if I'm experiencing burnout as an animator?
There are some signs of burnout, such as constant fatigue, demotivation, forgetfulness, and self-doubt about the art you create. The signs can also be seen physically, from insomnia or having trouble sleeping and breakouts to recurring headaches. Therefore, it is important to prioritise work-life balance to give yourself boundaries from work and maintain your self-care.
What daily habits can help animators maintain better mental health?
To maintain focus and energy levels, animators and creatives are encouraged to take regular breaks during work, maintain physical activities, and stick to healthy sleep schedules. Additionally, practising mindfulness, like meditation, and enjoying some hobbies outside the creative industry can also help maintain better animator mental health.
Author Bio
From Malaysia, Leia Emeera is a writer at TESSR, and a published author. She has been putting pen to paper ever since she learned how to, and has an anthology to her name, titled 'Ten'. Leia loves music, games and her beloved Labrador retriever, George. She aims to further her studies in English Literature and Creative Writing the moment her gap year ends. 'Till then, you will find her sitting behind a desk, writing with TESSR.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: Leia Emeera
With a background in Arts English, Adilla has been a casual writer for various hobbies like parodies of animated shows and plots for board games. She loves to read anything and everything from fantasy stories to articles on tips and tricks. Now an advocate for mental health and effective project management for the creative industry. Currently, Adilla resides in Malaysia and is a creative writer at TESSR. To know more about her, check out her LinkedIn.
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