Australian industry employees are more likely to commit suicide, says research

New research from Victoria University has found that music industry employees in Australia are more likely to suffer from mental health issues andcommit suicide than employees in other sectors – they’re also paid less.

The Age has published findings from a pilot study completed by Victoria University’s Dr Julie van den Eynde, Professor Adrian Fisher and Associate Professor Christopher Sonn; the study was funded by The Pratt Foundation. The study’s Phase I report states that in 2012, the Australian Road Crew Collective identified “70roadies whohad died prematurely, many from suspected suicide.”

Over half of the performing artists interviewed for the study said they felt criticism, jealousy and internal and external bullying were all a part of the culture of their workplace. One in three said they had sought professional help for their mental health issues and one quarter said they had attempted suicide or experienced "suicide ideation".

The Age spoke to music producer Mark Opitz (AC/DC, Cold Chisel, INXS), who backed the study’s finding that more than half of the roadies who were interviewed had considered suicide or had suicidal thoughts.

"We all know the famous names who have taken their lives, some have been my friends, but I also know that the roadies are the hardest working and the lowest paid in the industry," Opitz said. "These people travel and work 16 or 20-hour days, break their bodies and often rely on drugs and alcohol just to get them through. There is no roadies union. There is no-one looking out for these guys, and in many instances we don't even know what actually happened to them. You know, that truck they were driving that hit a tree on the Hume, was it an accident or not?"

Mushroom Group’s Michael Gudinksi is a patron for the Entertainment Assist national charity, whose mission is to help people overcome the pitfalls of the Australian Entertainment Industry. Gudinski told The Age, "It's much less wild now. To be in a band, the music industry, back in the old days was a wild life, complete madness. These days my staff have a running club and organise bowling nights. But the other pressures are still there. Time away from families, constant travelling. Taylor Swift just did five countries inside a week. We need to take a look at what this is doing to people."

The report also states that while the average Australian salary is $78,800 (according toABS), performing artists receive an average income of $44,600.

The researchers behind the study have been given funding by The Pratt Foundation to start Phase II; The Age is calling the next phase “the most extensive study of entertainment industry workers undertaken anywhere in the world.”

To undertake the Phase II researchers need 3000 people to take part. More information can be found atwww.entertainmentassist.org.au

Image Credit: Christian Yanni, Lighting Technician