Mental health charities call for ...

... ‘vital’ support for classical musicians

Two thirds of musicians suffer from depression. Picture: Getty

By Maddy Shaw Roberts, ClassicFM

0

A new campaign – ‘Harmony in Mind’ – aims to better support musicians and tackle the mental health crisis in the culture sector

A study by Help Musicians UK found that 71 per cent of musicians have experienced anxiety and panic attacks. Meanwhile, 65 per cent have suffered from depression (three times higher than in the general population).

Between 2011 and 2015, it was found that men working in the culture sector were 20 per cent more at risk of suicide, while the risk among women was 69 per cent higher, compared to other industries.

Today, the magazine Classical Music launches a major campaign to help tackle the sector-wide crisis.

Classical Music is joined by seven of the leading mental health and classical music charities, including the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine, Help Musicians UK, the Incorporated Society of Musicians, Musicians’ Union, Music Support, The Royal Society of Musicians, Help Musicians UK and Time to Change, the mental health anti-stigma movement led by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

Picture: Getty

Together, they are calling on industry leaders to better support musicians and staff, and to tackle the underlying causes of the crisis.

They are also urging orchestras and other classical music organisations to sign up to the Time to Change Employers’ Pledge. Led by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, ‘Time to Change’ is working with employers in all sectors to change how they think and act about mental health in the workplace, and ensure that employees facing these problems feel supported.

“The music sector has a high level of self-employed workers which makes them particularly vulnerable,” said Francesca Treadaway, from the Incorporated Society of Musicians.

“The gig economy, where short-term contracts or freelance work is prevalent, has a lack of regulation with no job security or access to holiday, a pension scheme, sick pay or maternity cover and protection and support mechanisms which are to be found in more traditional employment.”

Picture: Getty

Over the course of a year, Classical Music magazine will provide a platform to share best practice, new research, advice and resources for musicians. It will also create a virtual forum for visitors to pledge their support, share experiences and discuss solutions to end the mental health crisis.

The campaign is led by the magazine’s new editor, Lucy Thraves, who hopes to create an environment where musicians feel “safe, supported and accepted”.

“This wonderfully creative and enriching industry presents unusual challenges for its people, with high levels of stress around performance, job insecurity [and] widespread funding crises,” said Thraves. “Stigma around mental health issues is still great, with constant anxiety and stress considered normal.”

Last year, a report was commissioned by the concert promoter Skiddle, who reported that 65 per cent of its respondents were dealing with “intense and unmanageable” levels of pressure.

Musicians are three times more likely to experience depression...

...according to study

By CLASSIC FM, LONDON

0

A concerning new piece of research reveals the scale of the mental health crisis facing the UK music industry.

‘Can Music Make You Sick?’ is a new study commissioned by Help Musicians UK, which explores the effects of a career in music on musicians’ mental health.

The study, completed by University of Westminster, investigated 2,211 musicians, 71.1% of whom said they had suffered from panic attacks or anxiety, with 68.5% saying they had struggled with depression.

Researchers Sally-Anne Gross and Dr. George Musgrave cited a few major issues including money worries, because of juggling many different jobs and dealing with precarious and unpredictable pay, and poor working conditions.

They also found musicians were more likely to be subject to sexual abuse, bullying and discrimination – as well as antisocial and unsympathetic working environments.

While relationships with family and the support of close friends and partners are highly valued, they are also “open to abuse and feelings of guilt”. Plus, musicians often lack the financial means to seek professional support.

This news follows a recent study in the scientific journal Eating and Weight Disorders which revealed that a third of musicians suffer from eating disorders due to stress, concerts and perfectionism.

Since publishing the study, Help Musicians UK have promised to establish a music industry mental health taskforce, launch a 24/7 mental health service, Music Minds Matter, and to advocate change across the industry.

Christine Brown, director of external affairs at Help Musicians UK, told M magazine: “Help Musicians UK is uniquely placed to commission and share the results of this important, game-changing study. The charity granted nearly two million pounds last year to those that need it most in the industry, so it is a natural step to examine the key issues and make a call to action to help implement wider, lasting change in the industry. 

“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.”

Researchers Gross and Musgrave added: “This research is a crucial step forward in our understanding of the complex relationship between the working conditions of musicians and mental health conditions. 

“The honesty and poignancy of our interviewees has made possible this important work, and informed the service provision being implemented by Help Musicians UK, and for that we are truly thankful. We welcome the new service Music Minds Matter and hope that this research can spark a wider debate both in the music industry about the welfare of those at its heart, and more generally about the challenging nature of precarious work.”