The Importance of Mental Health in Production and Leadership

In the high-paced, high-demand world of church production, mental health often gets pushed to the background, overshadowed by the constant need to meet deadlines, execute "excellent" services, and manage diverse teams. However, mental health is as critical to production and leadership success as technical skills and logistics. As production leaders, we are not only responsible for the projects we lead but also for the well-being of our teams and ourselves.

Why Your Mental Health Matters

Mental health impacts everything in production and leadership. Leaders and team members alike must be in a good headspace to be creative, communicative, and solution-oriented. When mental health is prioritized, performance improves—mistakes decrease, morale rises, and relationships strengthen. This fosters a culture of collaboration, focus, and productivity, helping individuals and teams not just succeed but thrive.

For leaders, maintaining mental well-being is critical to sound decision-making, effective communication, and guiding others through stressful situations. Leading with a clear and present mind helps to de-escalate conflicts, problem-solve effectively, and keep a level-headed perspective when things go unplanned.

Practical Steps for Taking Care of Yourself and Your Team

1. Create an Open Culture: As leaders, it's our responsibility to set the tone. By being open about the importance of mental health and encouraging our team to speak up about their needs, we can normalize these conversations, reduce stigma, and help team members feel safe in seeking support when needed.

2. Manage Workloads Mindfully: Recognize the limits of your team and yourself. While production often requires last-minute adjustments, leaders should strive to ensure manageable workloads and provide rest breaks when possible. A well-rested team is far more likely to perform well consistently.

3. Implement Self-Care Practices: Encourage individual and team practices prioritizing personal self-care. This self-care includes everything from tennis or golf to attending a sporting event or intentional downtime. As a leader, leading by example with self-care practices shows the team that it's okay to step back and recharge.

4. Recognize and Address Burnout: Burnout is common in production environments but doesn't have to be inevitable. As leaders, we can encourage team members to take time off when necessary and proactively reduce stress during projects. By providing the right resources, delegating effectively, and setting clear expectations, we can show our team that their well-being is a priority.

5. Check-In: Regular check-ins with team members can also help identify issues early and ensure support is available.

Leading by Example

Leaders have a responsibility to model a healthy approach to mental well-being. This responsibility means taking care of one's own mental health and actively fostering an environment where mental wellness is prioritized for the entire team. When leaders demonstrate healthy boundaries, seek balance, and acknowledge stressors, they encourage the production team to do the same.

At its core, production leadership isn't just about executing a project—it's about leading people. And people need to be mentally well to thrive. When we prioritize mental health, we lay the foundation for sustainable success in every production.