Emma Lister and cohost Zoë Ashe-Browne released a 30 question survey about ballet dancers' mental health. They never expected the response it got--hundreds of classically trained dancers filled it out. This is obviously a topic we need to talk about!
In this, the first episode of MOVERS SHAKERS MAKERS ballet mini-series, they reveal some of the statistics collected, the stories shared and speak candidly about what it all means.
Special guests: Barry Drummond, Alex Newton, Shelby Williams
—THE SURVEY—
30 questions. Completed by over 400 trained ballet dancers. Graduated 2010-2020: 45% and pre1990-2010: 55% .
*Below are only the results discussed in the podcast*
SCHOOL LIFE
To the best of my knowledge, my school had qualified, professional teachers:
Strongly agree 51.69%
Agree 37.3%
Neither agree nor disagree 6.29%
Disagree 3.6%
Strongly disagree 1.12%
I received a well rounded dance education. (Not an exhaustive list): injury prevention, professional development, physical maintenance, performance experience, access to counselling, nutrition, other dance forms, dance theory:
Yes 52.36%
Not sure 10.56%
No 37.08%
In ballet school I felt I could voice my concerns or questions:
Strongly agree 3.37%
Agree 15.96%
Neither agree nor disagree 22.25%
Disagree 35.06%
Strongly disagree 23.37
I experienced first-hand (either witnessed or personal experienced) verbal abuse from my ballet school staff: bad language, yelling (in anger, not above the music!), comment that made me feel uncomfortable, comment that made me feel bad about myself:
Strongly agree 50.11%
Agree 31.69%
Neither agree nor disagree 5.17%
Disagree 10.11%
Strongly disagree 2.92%
I experienced eating distress in school: guilt after eating, restricted calorie intake, purging, obsessive thoughts about weight, obsessive eating habits, extreme negative thoughts about body shape:
I did not suffer from eating distress 18.88%
I experienced sexually inappropriate behaviour from staff at my ballet school:
Strongly agree 11.01%
Agree 19.33%
Neither agree nor disagree 10.34%
Disagree 31.46%
Strongly disagree 27.87%
If you experienced sexually inappropriate, homophobic, sexist, racist behaviour, did you report it or talk about with another adult?
Yes 12.97%
No 58.54%
Didn’t know who to report it to 28.48%
PROFESSIONAL LIFE
In my career I have predominantly been under the care of professional, experienced staff:
Strongly agree 16.97%
Agree 40.43%
Neither agree nor disagree 21.30%
Disagree 18.77%
Strongly disagree 2.53%
I experienced verbal abuse from staff in my work place (examples as before):
Strongly agree 38.04%
Agree 35.14%
Neither agree nor disagree 10.14%
Disagree 11.96%
Strong disagree 4.71
I have a positive relationship with at least one member of staff where I work/recent long contract:
Strongly agree 33.45%
Agree 53.09%
Neither agree nor disagree 8%
Disagree 4%
Strong disagree 1.45%
I experienced eating distress in professional life (symptoms as before):
I did not suffer from eating distress 22.26%
I experienced sexually inappropriate behaviour from staff in my work place:
Strongly agree 15.58%
Agree 25.72%
Neither agree nor disagree 13.04%
Disagree 26.81%
Strong disagree 18.84%
I have access to professional help with my mental health through my employer/s:
Strongly agree 4.35%
Agree 12.32%
Neither agree nor disagree 12.32%
Disagree 35.51%
Strong disagree 35.51%