Mental Health Support

Organisations the MU partners with, who help musicians with their mental health

• Music Minds Matter is a free 24/7 helpline run by Help Musicians for everyone in the music industry. Call them on 0808 802 8008 or visit their website.
• Music Support also runs a helpline for anyone in the music industry struggling with ill mental health and/or addiction. It operates 9:00 am - 5:00 pm on weekdays. Call them on 0800 030 6789 or find out more on their website.
• The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) connects performing artists and musicians with free specialist health support.

Other organisations helping musicians with their mental health

• Headstock and SHOUT have partnered to offer a 24/7 mental health text support service for musicians or anyone working in the music industry. Service users can text the word MUSIC to 85258 to receive free, confidential support by text, any time of the day or night. Support is delivered by volunteers who are trained to offer an immediate response. The volunteers are not music specialists but have been trained to signpost users to relevant services including Music Minds Matter and Music Support.
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a suicide prevention charity that runs life-saving services to people struggling with life alongside national campaigns and community networks. CALM’s helpline and webchat are open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.
• Mind are a general resource, who you can contact for urgent help and support. They also have advice on how to support others. 
• Music Industry Therapist Collective is an international group of specialist clinicians based across the UK, the US and the EU. All of their practitioners previously worked in the music business before retraining as health professionals and they provide health assessments, psychotherapy and performance psychology, mental health and welfare consultation, and bespoke workshops to the music industry.

Organisations offering therapy and directories of therapists

• BAATN hosts an online directory of Counsellors and Psychotherapists of Black, African, Asian and Caribbean Heritage in the UK.
• Black Minds Matter UK – making mental health topics relevant and accessible for all Black people in the U.K.
• The Black Trans Foundation’s QTIPOC Therapist Directory – making therapy more accessible for those with marginalised identities, this directory specifically lists therapists who are Queer, Trans and Intersex People of Colour.
• Black River Counselling is a free online service from Mind, supporting people of Black African and African-Caribbean heritage.
• Brown Therapist Network is a global learning hub for south Asian therapists who also offer therapeutic services from a range of accredited professionals.
• Burnt Roti magazine has a directory of women South Asian and East Asian therapists in London. Their website also offers articles on mental health too.
• Nafsiyat is an intercultural therapy centre offering accessible psychotherapy and counselling to people from diverse religious, cultural and ethnic communities in London in over 20 different languages.
• Our Naked Truths is a life art therapy series providing free therapy, low-cost therapy and wellness programmes specifically for Black women.
• Radical Therapist Network is a network of therapists working towards intersectional anti-racist practice. They will be offering trauma-informed, trans-cultural therapy with a focus on anti-racist, anti-capitalist and pro-trans therapeutic practices.
• South Asian Therapists is a directory of South Asian therapists. The website also gives helpful advice on self-care and the different types of therapy you can access.

Resources specialising in supporting young people

• The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people on everything from addiction to homelessness to ill mental health. They run an online community, confidential helpline and counselling service.
• Give Us a Shout provides free and confidential 24/7 text support to young people experiencing mental health crisis.
• Childline is a free, private, confidential service for young people to talk about anything online or on the phone. Childline counsellors are trained staff and volunteers of all ages and from all different backgrounds, and the service is provided by the NSPCC.
• Young Minds provides support and tools for young people to look after their mental health, and resources for parents and those who work with young people.
• Muslim Youth Helpline offers non judgmental, confidential, faith and culturally sensitive support by phone, live chat, WhatsApp and email. They work 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people aged 35 and under. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be you can contact HOPELINEUK for confidential support and practical advice.

Books and publications about musicians’ mental health

• Touring & Mental Health: the Music Industry Manual is the first book of its kind - a complete guide to touring written by an array of specialist performing arts clinicians. Covering physical, psychological and relational health issues, as well as preparing for performance, media training and more, it aims to help musicians, live music professionals and even loved ones at home to identify and manage difficulties that can occur on the road or as a result of touring.

Online guides for mental health

MITC’s Guide to Anxiety Relief and Self Isolation

Music Industry Therapists & Coaches (MITC) have launched a free, supportive guide which is designed specifically for artists and music industry professionals. It includes techniques and online resources for both adults and children.

The guide covers topics such as:

• Anxiety information and support
• Breathing techniques
• Home-working
• Self-isolation
• Eating well during the outbreak
• Home fitness

Download the guide from MITC’s website.

Function Central's Guide to Supporting Mental Health

Function Central have released a guide supporting the mental health and wellbeing of musicians.

The guide covers topics such as:

• An introduction to mental health
• Healthy practices for mental wellbeing
• Getting additional support
• Useful links and other information

View the guide from Function Central's website here – please hover over each heading/title to view the text for that section. 

The Mental Health Foundation

The Foundation works to prevent mental health problems. Helping people understand, protect and sustain their mental health, it is also part of the national mental health response during the coronavirus outbreak. 

The following publications are available to read online and/or download for free:

• How to look after your mental health
• How to support good mental health at work
• How to manage and reduce stress
• How to overcome fear and anxiety
• How to look after your mental health using mindfulness
• How to look after your mental health using excerise
• How to sleep better
• How to look after your mental health in later life
• The truth about self harm

Download the publications from the Mental Health Foundations website here. 

The Young Freelancer’s Guide to Mental Health and the Music Industry

This guide was also produced by MITC’s Tamsin Embleton together with the MU’s Young Members’ Network.

Written by mental health experts, it covers:

• Self care
• Burn out
• Support networks
• Cultivating resilience
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Depression

Download the Young Freelancer's Guide for free.

Online support networks

• RSM’s Telephone Support Network – the Royal Society of Musicians (RSM) are connecting musicians with musicians through their Support Network. Sign up for to receive regular calls to alleviate isolation.
• 12 Step Support Group for Musicians – Music Support are hosting weekly online meetings to help musicians who are members of 12 step fellowships connect with each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more about the support group.

Online training

• The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) offer online workshops and free events, including courses on keeping mentally well. Browse BAPAM’s online courses.