The music charity, Help Musicians, has conducted significant research recently in to the mental health crisis that musicians face. Due to the global pandemic and the Brexit implications of touring freely in Europe, many musicians mental health in the UK has declined rapidly. Many have uncertainty about the future (91%), worry about not being able to perform (81%), and many feel they have no purpose (66%).
700 musicians participated in the charities study across the UK. 87% stated that their mental health had declined severely since the beginning of lockdown and the lack of being able to perform. 59% stated that Brexit implications for touring and live shows in Europe was a major factor, ‘compounding the problem’. 96% said they were worried about finances and their situations generally.
70% stated they do not think they will be able to ‘cope financially’ for the next 6 months whilst half the participants stating they earn nothing from music at all the the current moment. 24% are considering leaving music altogether.
Help Musicians’ Chief Executive James Ainscough stated, “We can’t sugar coat these findings – we are facing a mental health crisis amongst musicians on an unprecedented scale. We have been offering ongoing financial support to thousands of musicians throughout the pandemic, but offering money is just one part of what musicians need – we have also had to completely revamp the mental health support we offer to address this rapidly unfolding crisis.
He continued, “Musicians who cannot work don’t just suffer financially, they grieve for the creativity and connections that their music usually brings.This is why we have bolstered our mental health support for musicians across the UK.”
The implications of Brexit and the very real crises that the global pandemic had on the music industry and especially its creative artists mean that musicians are facing a loss of livelihood, passion and financial stability. Ainscough pleaded to those musicians currently experiencing stress about the future or, “needs urgent help or simply a listening ear,x please call Music Minds Matter now on 0808 802 8008.”
