In recognition of World Mental Health Day on Wednesday 10 October, Help Musicians UK highlighted its around the clock, dedicated support line and service for the music industry, Music Minds Matter, through several key industry collaborations and partnerships, as well as a special social media campaign #MyMusicMindMatters.
A growing music industry population needs preventative support, as evidenced by new data revealing nearly 3 in every 4 people who contacted Music Minds Matter were in need of a listening ear and advice.
New statistics on those contacting the Music Minds Matter service since its launch in December 2017, show that 70% of all people who called the free phone line needed advice on a range of issues, from relationships to money worries, and a listening ear to help with the pressures of working in the industry. These new insights underline the importance of having not just on-the-spot crisis support, but also a safe place for people to talk about the challenges and pressures of working life.
For World Mental Health Day, HMUK is inviting the industry, artists, friends, supporters and social media communities to share the music that ‘matters’ to them, using the hashtag #MyMusicMindMatters. These songs will then be compiled into a playlist to raise awareness for Music Minds Matter, which offers free, dedicated mental health support and a listening ear to the whole music community. Confirmed supporters include: Nina Nesbitt, ECKOES, Carly Wilford, The BPI, Music Venues Trust, Emika, Amanda Maxwell (Boiler Room/ shesaid.so) and more.
HMUK is also proud to reveal an ongoing series of partnerships with key industry bodies, further creating a backbone of support for the industry’s mental health. This includes a partnership with the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) to collaborate on a new multi-organisational therapeutic pathways model as well as the PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund. The partnership with PRS will allow members such as artists, songwriters, composers and musicians to access the full range of Music Minds Matter’s support, including counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, specialist advice on debt, legal, as well as access to HMUK’s grant giving service.
Dr Pete Glenister, PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund Trustee said:
“At the PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund, we have long supported beneficiaries through periods of physical illness. Our new collaboration with Help Musicians UK provides mental health support through their service, Music Minds Matter. Music Minds Matter will help point members towards appropriate treatment and support and if necessary, fund that treatment and support. We hope this collaboration will give members the tools they need to help themselves going forward.”
Additionally, the charity has partnered with acclaimed electronic music school Point Blank on its Guide to Survival in the Music Industry evening on World Mental Health Day. The event will be open to all Point Blank students and alumni, and will see HMUK representatives join producer Saytek, Laidback Luke, manager Olga Heijns, as well as artist and instructor Sam Willis to discuss a range of topics including financial management, substance misuse, the benefits of collaboration, rejection and social media.
In order to spread the message even further, HMUK has partnered with US-based non-profit organisation Give An Hour for the second Global Summit on Mental Health Culture Change, taking place from 10-12 October at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Offices in London. The three-day conference will focus exclusively on addressing culture as a primary barrier to changing the way we think about, talk about and address emotional wellbeing and mental health. Researcher and co-author of HMUK’s recent music and mental health study, Sally Anne Gross will be the charity’s representative on the day. She will take part in the Research and Culture Change – A Necessary Relationship panel on Friday 12 October at 09.30 – 10:15am.
James Ainscough, Interim CEO of Help Musicians UK said:
“Music Minds Matter is there not just for times of crisis, but most commonly it serves a crucial purpose as a listening ear – underlining the spectrum of support that is needed by many who work in the music industry. We are committed to building partnerships within the industry in order to improve mental health advocacy and support for all those working in the sector. By launching the #MyMusicMindMatters campaign and announcing our diverse range of partnerships, HMUK continues to keep mental health high on the agenda, raise awareness of the support available and encourage positive and lasting change. Through our holistic programme of support, HMUK continues to make a difference to the lives of our beneficiaries by helping to build a sustainable future for all within the industry.”
