Music industry pros display higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression during pandemic: Report

Staff across the entertainment sector are experiencing poorer mental health, heaping onto industry professionals’ existing high rates of anxiety, depression, isolation, suicide, and other mental health issues.

And, right now, they’re faring worse than other industries, a new report claims.

Some 93% of respondents to a survey experienced “significant changes to their work,” according to new research into the effects on the entertainment industry personnel.

Also, 60% were unable to work, and, as a result, 63% have experienced financial distress, with a similar number of respondents accessing government financial assistance to get by.

One of the most troubling findings, according to Entertainment Assist, which commissioned the study, was that 25% of respondents were unable to pay for household essentials.

Industry workers experienced poorer mental health during the pandemic, “displaying elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and depression,” the report finds.

“This increase in poorer mental health is true of the experiences of many industries during the pandemic; however, given the entertainment industry may be among the last to recover, this increased stress, anxiety,” and depression may be “longer-lasting.”

Respondents who typically worked in the gig economy — that is, seasonal, contract, and audition work — were found to be better equipped to navigate the impact of the restrictions and closures on employment and employment prospects as they habitually banked money between jobs.

Entertainment Assist’s new report was conducted by mental health organisation Everymind, along with peak body Australian Alliance for Wellness in Entertainment.

The damage done by the pandemic can’t be accurately measured in economics alone, comments Julia Edwards, General Manager Entertainment Assist.

“The industry has been devastated and we urgently need to provide support to ensure individuals are, not just coping, but are prepared as we work toward recovery,” says Edwards.

“We need to provide everyone with the tools to build resilience and ongoing mental health and wellbeing to for the future. We want to build a better, healthier Australian entertainment industry.”

Recommendations from the research include:

• Promote opportunities to help re-establish the professional and social networks of entertainment industry workers.

• Foster the financial literacy and help-seeking behaviours of entertainment industry workers, particularly as the industry will be slow to recover.

• Provides resources and information on financial assistance.

• Provide career guidance and up-skilling opportunities to future proof the industry against other large scale natural disasters or sudden changes to work opportunities.

Edwards urges those who are struggling to reach out for help. And for those who can, donate.

“Given the entertainment industry may be among the last to recover, the increased stress, anxiety and depression may be longer-lasting, it is important individuals have access to our educational support through the INTERMISSION workshops as soon as possible,” Edwards says.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.