A new 24/7 mental health service has been launched to help people within the music industry.

Launched in the wake of tragic passing of Chester Bennington earlier this year, Help Musicians UK’s landmark new 24/7 mental health service ‘Music Minds Matter‘ is now here.

The new service will offer advice, signposting, emotional support, clinical pathways and professional therapeutic services, counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to musicians and people within the music industry suffering with mental health issues.


“I would like to give my passionate, wholehearted support to Help Musicians UK and the new Music Minds Matter mental health service,” said Nadine Shah of ‘Music Minds Matter’. “The music industry is in such need of a service like this. It’s about time we had a service that is always there for people, one that really caters to the myriad of mental health challenges and complexities that musicians and people in the music industry face. As someone that has experienced struggles of my own, I know how important it is to know that I could access help and support when I need it. It means so much, thank you HMUK.”

This comes after a study ‘Can Music Make You Sick?’ was conducted last year. Of over 2,000 musicians and music professionals who took part, 71.1% said they had experienced panic attacks and/or high levels of anxiety, while 68.5% reported they had experienced depression

HMUK CEO Richard Robinson said: “Help Musicians UK is uniquely positioned as a charity to coordinate, lead and support those working in music with mental health challenges. With 96 years of experience, we understand the complexity of being a musician and recognise the need for support that reflects the nature of the business, whilst providing a personalised service tailored to each person we help.

“Music Minds Matter is a first for the British music industry and the biggest ever undertaking by HMUK. We are earmarking just under £1 million over the next four years and we fully expect the service to grow and evolve. However, this can only happen in close consultation and collaboration with the music industry and those organisations already providing mental health support. This is why a fully engaged Music Industry Mental Health Taskforce is also a prerequisite and catalyst for real change and understanding.

He added: “It is also important to underline that early intervention is key in this service. This is not just for individuals in crisis, it is so much more and provides comprehensive support on a range of issues. In time we will look to add additional regional capabilities and services, as well as global partnerships, to really make a difference to those that need it most and future proof our music industry to be as healthy and successful as it can be.”


CONTACT HELP MUSICIANS UK AND MUSIC MINDS MATTER:

For help and emotional support, call 0808 802 8008 free of charge, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also get advice by emailing them here.