New 24/7 mental health service for UK musicians after study finds 70% suffer from anxiety, depression

Help Musicians UK, a charity which focuses on the well-being of musicians, has announced it is launching a new 24/7 mental health service Music Minds Matter in December.

It is one of three initiatives to come in the wake of a series of Can Music Make You Sick? reports.

The first, surveying 2,200 musicians– released in November 2016 – sent alarm bells ringing as 71% suffered from anxiety and 69% from depression – three times the national average.

Even more staggering was that 57% of respondents with mental health did not receive treatment and 53% considered it was difficult to find help,

The second part, released this week, looked at what caused the mental health issues.

Similar to studies done in Australia, results of the survey indicatethat money worries top the list.

It explains, “A career in music is often precarious and unpredictable. Many musicians have several different jobs as part of a portfolio career, and as a result get little time to take a break.

“It can be hard for musicians to admit to insecurities because of needing to compete with others and wanting to appear on top of things.

“Musicians can also find it hard to access affordable professional help for mental health issues.”

Other factors are:

• Poor working conditions – not only often working in isolation but in a constant atmosphere of reflection and self-criticism.
• Huge pressure of maintaining relationships with family and friends who would be more supportive
• Sexual abuse, bullying or discrimination –The report warns, “Musicians’ working environment can be anti-social and unsympathetic, with some people experiencing sexual abuse, harassment, bullying and coercion.”

Help Musicians UK has come up with a new plan of action.

The landmark 24/7 mental health service ‘Music Minds Matter’ will provide clinical and therapeutic help, grant funding and bespoke legal, welfare, debt and benefits advice.

Also to be set up is a music industry Mental Health Taskforce – with key partners and stakeholders, to be a forum for discussion with the industry to establish a code of best practice and duty of care within the industry

There are also plans for the UK music industry to ignite support domestically and around the world for Music Minds Matter with key industry partnerships and collaborations

Help Musicians UK last year gave almost £2 million (A$3.36 million) to musicians in need.

It’s Director of External Affairs, Christine Brown, pointed out, “The British music industry is in rude health and has a world class reputation – but to continue the long-term wellbeing of the industry and its workers, we aim to create a constructive forum for discussion, partnership and collaboration.

“Through the new Music Minds Matter service, we are closer to providing the crucial support, advice and education the music community desperately needs.

“Together we can continue to chip away at the stigma, so that in the long term those working in the community never have to suffer in silence.”