Mental Health: The Future of Musicians
How The Mental Health Crisis Has an Impact on The Music Industry and its Professionals
Over 47 million Americans are experiencing mental illness as of 2021, according to a statistics report done by Mental Health America. Throughout the last few years mental illnesses have become a topic of discussion in mainstream media. However, there is still a stigma around those who deal with them everyday. Celebrities, leaders, your friends and family - the mental health crisis has an impact on people all around us.
The Stress to Get The Necessary Help
Mental health is an important part of our holistic well-being, and it is essential that we take care of it in ways that work for us. Many of those suffering from mental illnesses don’t or can’t get the help they need, and this is even more prevalent for those in the music industry.
Musicians deal with high levels of stress and pressure from the music industry and this adds to the weight on their mental health. Many musicians are faced with a choice: spend their time and money on their mental health, or spend it on their art. Oftentimes they choose to focus on their craft, and in turn their mental health can take a toll. Health insurance doesn’t always cover many mental health treatments, and this can leave independent musicians unable to afford the necessary support and treatments they need.
When I was in college, I was fortunate enough to attend a university that offered free mental health services to its students through the health center. On top of my social anxiety, I was dealing with added pressures from my senior year so I started going to therapy. Even though my issues weren’t severe and I only went for a few months, I can honestly say it helped a lot. I can only imagine the positive benefits for someone going through more than I was experiencing. Access to help for mental illnesses or everyday stresses can be crucial for our happiness and health.
“Having open discussions surrounding the mental health crisis and how the music industry affects it can bring to light the issues that need to be fixed and end the stigma on the topic.”
Musicians Open About Their Mental Health Experiences
Many musicians are opening up about their mental health experiences, such as Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, and Selena Gomez. Popular musicians are starting to prioritize their mental health over their work, and this, combined with open conversations about mental health, can help to end the stigma surrounding mental health in the media. Musicians of many facets are also faced with the pressure of their fans to please them and hold up an ideal image.
Many popular icons have spoken out about their mental health experiences.
Ariana Grande has talked about her post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the Manchester bombing in 2017.
She felt as if she couldn’t talk about it knowing that other families experienced it worse than her, and she had feelings of guilt from the event.
Britney Spears decided to stay in a mental health treatment center, taking time away from her work to focus on her mental health.
She has struggled with her mental health in the past, and her focus on mental health issues instead of work has helped to end the stigma associated with mental health and the media.
Amy Winehouse was open about her struggles with addiction and depression, and she let herself be vulnerable to her audience through her music.
Suffering through her music, Winehouse was dealing with the music industry which didn’t always have her best interest at heart.
Demi Lovato is open about their battles with eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and mental health.
Their new documentary Dancing With The Devil digs deep into their personal experiences with overdoses and mental health issues. They are honest and open about their situation, which highlights what famous and normal people deal with every day.
How Neglect and Lack of Understanding Limits The Help Musicians Need
The music industry has been known to brush off musicians' concerns for their mental health, to their benefit. Musicians across the board have dealt with managers, producers, and more who have neglected to take their mental health seriously. If music industry professionals became more concerned with the well-being and health of musicians, musicians would be more likely to get the help when they need it. While not everyone fits this mold, it has been a common finding from musicians themselves. Shedding light on the mental health crisis is necessary in helping those who need it most.
However, we still don’t have a complete understanding of the brain yet, despite the wide range of medical knowledge and research that has been done. If we can better understand the brain and how mental illnesses work, we can work on getting the right help we need. Having open discussions surrounding the mental health crisis and how the music industry affects it can bring to light the issues that need to be fixed and end the stigma on the topic.
Bringing Awareness to Mental Health
Raising awareness of the mental health crisis within the music industry not only helps people understand the importance of it, but also helps bring the community together. Having events that discuss mental illness allows people to share their experiences, coping mechanisms, and resources associated with it. These events allow mental health professionals and musicians to talk in a more personal setting, which allows those conversations to occur.
Events such as Brunch With a Purpose, and Harmony In Mind have begun to promote a movement within mental health. The more awareness we can raise on mental illness within the music industry, the louder our musicians’ voices can be heard. The mental health crisis is prevalent in all areas of the music industry and our larger society. These kinds of events can be a catalyst for change - no longer does mental illness have to be a normal aspect of the music industry.
How to Take Control of Your Mental Health - The Den Collective
The Den Collective partners with Meridian Counseling with a sliding scale to provide therapy and resources to anyone who needs it. Appointments can be made here.
No matter what you’re going through you don’t have to do it alone. Myself and The Den Collective are here to support and help in any way we can!
Sources:
https://mhanational.org/issues/2021/mental-health-america-prevalence-data
https://www.wellandgood.com/ariana-grande-brain-scan/
https://www.insideedition.com/ariana-grande-shares-terrifying-brain-scans-that-show-her-ptsd-52188
https://www.rhinegold.co.uk/classical_music/on-my-mind/