Best Mental Health Resources for Musicians

Seeking help is a sign of strength and we encourage you to reach out for support whenever you need it. Taking the time you need for yourself can make a significant difference in maintaining your overall health and sustaining a successful career in music.

How music helps your mental health

Music is a form of escapism for millions around the globe. Listening to or creating your own tracks is one of the best ways to relieve stress and has even been found to reduce anxiety and cure depression.

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Despite the creative outlet that making and releasing music online provides, the whole process can also take its toll on your mental well-being. 

We understand how stressful and hectic the music industry can be at times, so to help you get the support you need, we’ve created this list of Music Industry Mental Health Resources to allow you to better manage any difficulties you may encounter. 

You can also find more financial support through our Music Funding Map.

Music and mental health resources

It's crucial to acknowledge that mental health is just as important as your creative pursuits, so check out these resources below and learn more about what support is out there and available to you.

Sweet Relief

‍Sweet Relief is a musician fund that offers financial support to both musicians and industry professionals who are struggling with their mental and/or physical health. The organisation covers issues across the music industry - helping with disability age-related problems and other general mental health issues.

Music Health Alliance  

‍Music Health Alliance’s mission is to provide access to professional healthcare via programmes that both protect and connect the music industry. They aim to do this by offering medical and financial solutions to issues faced by artists - providing defined and transparent healthcare and focusing on illness prevention and maintenance of overall physical and mental wellness.

Music Minds Matter

‍Music Minds Matter is a UK-based mental health support line that offers around-the-clock support, seven days a week. The charity is Help Musicians' dedicated mental health support line and offers service to the whole of the UK’s music community. 

If you’re based in the UK and work within any part of the music industry, Music Minds Matter is on hand to listen and support you at any time.

MusiCares

‍MusiCares specialises in three key areas of mental health services:

‍Mental health & addiction recovery services - this includes support, referrals, and emergency financial aid for counselling, psychiatric care, inpatient treatment, coaching, intensive outpatient care, sober living, and more.

‍Health services - including financial assistance during medical issues, such as medical screenings and hearing clinics.

‍Human services - this covers stuff like support for basic living expenses such as rent and utilities during times of hardship, as well as programs addressing affordable housing and legal issues.

Backline

‍Backline helps connect music industry professionals with different mental health and wellness resources. The non-profit organisation strives to create a safer and more supportive music industry by connecting the music community with quality mental health care providers who understand the unique challenges of this industry.

Headstock

‍Headstock is a Manchester-based company that helps raise money and awareness for music-based mental health charities. 

Their aim is to change the conversation around mental health and make support more accessible to musicians of all levels.

Shout

‍Shout is the UK's first 24/7 text messaging service for anybody (music-related or not)  who is struggling to cope. The free service has already received over 2 million phone conversations from people who have experienced lonely or suicidal thoughts and who need urgent help.

Shout became a vital tool for those in need during COVID-19 and has continued its amazing work throughout the last few years - particularly throughout the UK’s ongoing cost of living crisis.

BAPAM

Clinical specialist organisation BAPAM is another great option for those seeking expert professional guidance on their health and overall well-being. 

BAPAM, short for British Performing Arts Medicine Trust, specialises in assisting those working within the performing arts sector, but their advice can be moulded to any line of work.

Tonic Music

Tonic Music offers bespoke mental health training and support for music industry professionals. Their Tonic Rider programme was set up to provide free help to musicians, production crews and anyone else within the wider music industry.

Although it is not always possible to provide everyone with free support, Tonic also offers a bursary to subsidise any more expensive treatment. A great initiative for independent musicians to look into.

Music Support

‍Music Support was set up in 2016 by music industry veterans aiming to eradicate the issues experienced by themselves throughout their careers. 

The charity’s founders have all experienced some sort of health or addiction issues so are more than aware of how difficult it can be to struggle alone. 

Deciding that enough was enough, they developed a personal and confidential support service that understood the specific needs and issues associated with the music industry. Check out their website for more information.

The music industry can be a difficult place at times, so you need to take some time for yourself and prioritise your mental health. We hope these resources offer useful guidance on how to deal with any issues that you’re experiencing and encourage you to reach out for help whenever you need it. 

If you are a music-focused Mental Health Charity not included on this list but would like to be added, please let us know at press@dittomusic.com with more details about your organisation.

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