How can musicians find support for mental health issues?

Several organisations provide mental health support for musicians. Free helplines are available from Music Minds Matter and Music Support, plus online guides. The MU offers a list of recommended mental health resources for musicians.

How many musicians have mental health issues?

According to a 2019 study by Record Union, 73% of independent professional musicians experience mental illness. In 2016, Help Musicians surveyed over 2,000 musicians and found that over two thirds of respondents had experienced depression.

Are mental health issues more common in musicians?

Musicians face various challenges that may trigger mental health issues. These include irregular working hours, stage fright or even sexual harassment. 80% of musicians aged 18-25 struggle with mental illness, according to a study by Record Union.

How many musicians struggle with mental health?

In 2019, Swedish distribution platform Record Union surveyed 1,500 musicians on mental health. Results found that 73% struggle with mental illness, with depression and anxiety the most prevalent conditions. Many also experienced panic attacks.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Advice to help musicians to look after their mental health and wellbeing. We work with specialist organisations that provide professional help on mental health.

Health and wellbeing resources for members

Specialist help

Healthcare Services

We work with our partner organisations, collectively aiming to ensure that performers receive expert medical assessments, advice and support.

Practice and Training

Support your body and mind with our regular wellbeing events and yoga online course tailored to musicians.

A Guide to Wellbeing

From mental health to having a healthy lifestyle - read our guidance to take care of your state of mind and body.

Guidance and resources

Mental Health Support

Resources for musicians on keeping mentally well.

Domestic Abuse Support

Useful contacts, resources and advice for supporting victims of domestic abuse.

Mental Health & Discrimination

How ill mental health is covered by the Equality Act 2010.

Protect your mental and physical health and wellbeing as a musician

Being a musician puts your body, your mind and your resilience under a lot of pressure. That’s why the Musicians’ Union works hard to support musicians’ physical and mental health and wellbeing.

I'm much more aware of my rib cage and the extent of my held breath. As a brass player, that feels significant!
PeteMusician

Feldenkrais method is fascinating, science-based and totally relevant to issues faced by professional musicians.
JonathanMusician

My neck feels free. I feel more grounded and have a posture that is more free and open.
TaraMusician, about Feldenkrais

Following on from the very stressful lockdown period, I continue to find these [meditation] sessions extremely useful.
MartinMusician

Shukri is a lovely down to earth teacher and I look forward to Monday’s meditation sessions immensely.
Zoe Musician

Health & wellbeing events

Last chance to book

31 Jan 2025

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically.

Online Member only

Last chance to book

A young plant sprouting on cracked dry soil, symbolising resilience.

20 Feb 2025

Creative Resilience

This online, two-hour session is for anyone in the creative industries who is interested in developing their understanding of psychological and physical resilience and applying this to their day-to-day life.

Online

Last chance to book

Stacked rocks on the shore against a clear blue sky.

24 Feb 2025

Guided Meditation

An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives.

Online Member only

MU Partners

Organisations we support and partner with to help musicians with their mental health and wellbeing

BAPAM

Help Musicians

Music Support

Music Minds Matter

RSM

Wellbeing news

Latest on health, safety and wellbeing affecting musicians

Utako Toyama singing and playing piano to a crowd, in front of a red curtain and flowers.

Utako Toyama for LGBT+ History Month: “Sharing Music from an LGBT+ Perspective Allows Others to Connect”

Utako is a multi-award-winning composer and MU member who promotes diversity, equality, and world peace through her music. In this guest blog, she discusses why visibility and allyship is important not just in the music industry, but for society as a whole.

Published: 17 February 2025

Musician Kat Browning holding a clarinet and smiling.

Katmuss for LGBT+ History Month: “The Community I Didn’t Know I Craved”

Katmuss, the resident bass clarinettist for Folk Clarinet Quartet, The Tradinettes, shares their experience of dealing with mental health issues and rediscovering a sense of community through the MU and its LGBT+ network.

Published: 10 February 2025

Close up of young, Black male musician, singing into a microphone on a stage.

New Survey Launched to Investigate Discriminatory Licensing Practices in London

A survey by Black Lives In Music, the Musicians’ Union, UK Music, LIVE, and the Mayor of London, has been launched to investigate reported race inequality, bias and over-policing of music events in London. 

Published: 07 February 2025

Official poster from the TUC. A cartoon image of a man with a crutch and arm in a sling, surrounded by hearts with crosses in, representing a bandage. Text at the bottom reads “Safe Sick Pay”.

Support the Safe Sick Pay Campaign

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is calling on union members to take part in a day of action on Friday 7 February to campaign for an increase in statutory sick pay.

Published: 06 February 2025

Female violin player performing under a spotlight on a dark stage.

MU General Secretary Gives Evidence in Government’s Misogyny in Music Enquiry

Last week MU General Secretary, Naomi Pohl, gave powerful evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee as part of the ongoing Misogyny in Music enquiry.

Published: 03 February 2025

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Mental Health and Wellbeing

Health and wellbeing resources for members

Healthcare Services

Practice and Training

A Guide to Wellbeing

Guidance and resources

Mental Health Support

Domestic Abuse Support

Mental Health & Discrimination

Protect your mental and physical health and wellbeing as a musician

Health & wellbeing events

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

Creative Resilience

Last chance to book

Guided Meditation

MU Partners

BAPAM

Help Musicians

Music Support

Music Minds Matter

RSM

Wellbeing news

Utako Toyama for LGBT+ History Month: “Sharing Music from an LGBT+ Perspective Allows Others to Connect”

Katmuss for LGBT+ History Month: “The Community I Didn’t Know I Craved”

New Survey Launched to Investigate Discriminatory Licensing Practices in London

Support the Safe Sick Pay Campaign

MU General Secretary Gives Evidence in Government’s Misogyny in Music Enquiry