Charities and organisations have joined forces to launch the most comprehensive study of its kind into mental health in the UK music industry.
The collaboration is between Point One Project, a mental health charity and incubator initiated by ATC Group’s chief growth officer Ric Salmon, singer/songwriter Ryan Keen and co-founder of Movember, Justin Coghlan; Music Minds Matter, the charity dedicated to supporting the mental health of everyone in music in the UK; and Habit Partners, experts in health and wellbeing behaviour science,
The research project is a landmark initiative designed to understand, transform and improve mental health across the UK music ecosystem.
Launching today (February 16), it is open to anyone working in music – including musicians, grassroots performers, songwriters, producers, educators, managers, promoters, executives, venue staff, production crew, and those working at agencies, specialist services, industry bodies or other music organisations.
This new anonymous online survey aims to build a statistically robust, representative picture of mental health across the entire UK music sector, capturing the experiences of professionals at every level and in every role, whether employed, self-employed or freelance.
Everyone working in music is encouraged to take just 15 minutes to complete the survey starting today.
Insights gained will deepen understanding of the unique challenges and rewards of working in music, as well as the full spectrum of needs, enabling greater engagement in shaping future improvements.
This season can be especially demanding for freelance professionals in the live music sector, who may experience reduced work opportunities during this time.
“By building a representative picture of mental health in music, the findings aim to inform and support measurable, sustainable impact – helping to guide more effective support services, foster a positive culture across the sector, strengthen systems and safeguards, and reduce risks to mental health, ultimately contributing to the wellbeing of everyone working in music,” said a statement.
This survey is a critical step in understanding the issues which impact mental health, so that we can build better systems of support as a result of that vital feedback
Sarah Woods
Justin Coghlan, co-founder of Point One Project, said: “It’s time for us collectively to build an industry that we can be truly proud of, one where every person is not only valued for their contributions but also assured of a safe and supportive environment.
“This goes beyond clinical mental health support; it’s about acknowledging the personal sacrifices people make to help bring artists’ visions to life and ensuring those sacrifices don’t come at the cost of their wellbeing, especially their mental health.
He added: “What has resonated with Point One Project through our journey in talking with a large cohort of key stakeholders within the music industry, is the clear opportunity and willingness for change through a collective approach to ensure measurable, sustainable impact.
“We want to work towards a collective vision to protect and improve the infrastructure across music, to support and sustain a safe, secure and healthy working environment – wherever, or however, one works. Phase one is discovery with this survey as a simple ask, a huge impact and start point in establishing the evidence base on which to really understand how we can turn up in positive ways to design programmes of change, advocate from and measure against.”
Sarah Woods, chief executive of Help Musicians & Music Minds Matter, said: “A career in music can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also come with unique challenges, pressures and precarity – particularly as the majority of those working in music do so on a freelance basis with no safety net in times of difficulty.
“This survey is a critical step in understanding the issues which impact mental health, so that we can build better systems of support as a result of that vital feedback. By taking part in this research, we’re working towards a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone in music.”
Dr Holly Whelan, co-founder of Habit Partners, said: “We are excited to be part of this important initiative. The first step to creating lasting change is ensuring that we have reliable and validated data to work from.
“We have built this survey collaborating with industry experts, academics and mental health specialists. It uses scientifically validated scales, ensures data anonymity and has been ethically reviewed by Goldsmith University.”
PHOTO: (L-R) Sarah Woods and Dr Holly Whelan