Aimee Davies
Director and Founder – Hey Mate
Topic: Managing your mental health & wellbeing
What you’ll learn:
Delegates will come away with an understanding of the benefits of actively managing both your and your staff’s mental health in the workplace. Specifically, this presentation will cover:
- Why mental health literacy is essential for the sustainability of our sector
- Common mental health risks and stressors for festival workers and arts professionals
- What mental health distress actually looks like on the ground
- Practical strategies and supports that can be implemented by festival organisers
- Overview of available mental health services, peer-support models, and EAPs tailored for the creative industries
- Real-world case studies (2–3) demonstrating the impact and outcomes of Hey Mate’s work in festivals and arts organisations
Professional bio
Aimee Davies is the Founder and Managing Director of Hey Mate, a national social enterprise supporting mental health in Australia’s creative industries.
With over 15 years’ experience across the arts, health, and social impact sectors, Aimee is a leading voice in workplace wellbeing and psychological safety for festivals, screen, and performing arts. She has delivered support and training to organisations including Brisbane Festival, Queensland Ballet, and Big Sound, and is passionate about building care into the core of creative work.
Aimee was selected as a 2024 A2ELP Social Impact Leader and regularly speaks on mental health, resilience, and peer-led models.
