Musical artists all over the world suffer from depression and other mental health problems. Can the music industry help them?
Music is known to boost cognitive and emotional wellbeing, yet those who pursue it professionally experience greater levels of psychological distress compared to the general population.
According to studies from Norway, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Korea, psychological distress among professional musicians is a global phenomenon. Over two-thirds of professional musicians in the UK reported symptoms of depression in a 2016 study of over 2,000 musicians. In Canada, approximately one in five professional musicians experience suicidal thoughts.
In response to these alarming statistics, musicians are advocating for significant changes within the industry. During her acceptance speech as Best New Artist at the Grammys in February, Grammy-winning artist Chappell Roan stated, ‘I told myself if I ever won a Grammy, and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels in the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists.’
Major record labels are starting to recognize the gravity of the issue. Universal Music Group has partnered with Music Health Alliance to launch the Music Industry Mental Health Fund, which aims to provide outpatient mental health support to musicians.
A Lack of Support Systems
The challenges surrounding musicians’ mental health stem from a lack of institutional protections for freelancers, erratic work schedules, and financial instability. Dr. George Musgrave, a senior lecturer in cultural sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London, explains that performance anxiety and perfectionism further exacerbate the pressures faced by many musicians.
‘When people talk about music being good for health and wellbeing, they’re not talking about working musicians,’ Musgrave noted. ‘Those who are doing it for leisure or creation do not experience anxiety or depression in the same way that those who do it professionally do.’
Noah Fralick, artist manager at Huxley Management in London, highlighted the unpredictable career trajectories many musicians experience, stating: ‘You don’t really go to school, get training, then work your way into the workforce and slowly build up. There’s no linear path in this profession.’
Emotional labor plays a vital role in the stresses of a music career, as Dr. Sally Anne Gross of the University of Westminster discusses the inherent emotional exposure required in the industry: ‘If you’re working with your emotions in your working environment … you can expect that you might encounter emotional injuries.’
The Strains of a Music Career
The idea of the ‘tortured artist’ has gained traction in the digital age, with many creatives feeling pressured to portray an authentic persona, often linked with pain. Dr. Gross remarked, ‘The digital world is desperate for real things. The artist now has to be larger than life … in this atmosphere, if you are a young emerging artist or a current artist, you have to engage in a way that appears authentic, which often seems to stem from suffering.’
The massive influx of new music available through digital channels has created both opportunities and challenges for today’s musicians. Fralick pointed out, ‘About 100,000 new songs are uploaded to Spotify every day. While streaming has eliminated barriers to entry, it has diluted the likelihood of individual success.’
Pressure to Succeed
The pressures of the industry often lead to what Dr. Musgrave describes as ‘cruel optimism’, where unrealistic expectations tether musicians to unattainable ideals. Launching a career can also involve significant upfront costs associated with music production, promotion, and professional development.
Female musicians may face additional pressures, particularly as age becomes a factor in their marketability. Musgrave shared that many women view age as a critical threat to their success, explaining, ‘Age is a specter that haunts women’s musical careers in a way that it does not haunt men’s.’
Getting Help to Those Who Need It
In the past decade, the music industry has witnessed a greater focus on mental health support. Major labels like Universal, Warner Music, and Sony have established mental health initiatives, although potential conflicts of interest exist with in-house counseling services. Most musicians currently rely on charitable organizations such as MusiCares and Music Minds Matter, providing essential support including crisis intervention and educational resources.
Dr. Gross emphasized the need for educational institutions to prepare young musicians for these challenges, indicating, ‘We need to reassess how we present creative industry jobs to the next generation and ensure that we address the issues affecting professionals.’
Three questions to consider:
1. What unique pressures do professional musicians face?
2. What is meant by the term ‘cruel optimism’?
3. Why do so many people dream of becoming famous performers?
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