Wellbeing
Wellbeing in the music industry goes beyond simply feeling “okay” - it’s about sustaining mental, emotional, and physical health in an environment that can often be unpredictable, high-pressured, and at times, isolating.
For musicians and those working across the industry, wellbeing can be shaped by long hours, financial instability, performance anxiety, creative pressure, touring demands, and the emotional vulnerability that comes with creative work and being away from home and loved ones for extended periods. It’s not just about mental health struggles either, but the ability to cope; setting and maintaining boundaries to achieve a good work-life balance, and feeling a sense of purpose and connection within your work, community and home life.
On this page, we’ve brought together organisations that offer practical advice, resources, and support networks specifically for artists and people working in music and the wider creative industries.
Music Minds Matter
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Music Minds Matter is Help Musicians' dedicated mental health support line and service for the whole UK music community. If you work in music and are struggling to cope, or know someone who is, talk to them. It doesn’t have to be a crisis, or about music. They’re here to listen, support and help at any time.
Call free and confidentially: 0808 802 8008
Help Musicians
We know that as a musician, it can often feel like you’re walking a tightrope. When things are good, they’re great, but when problems come up, it can be tough to know what to do. At those times, the right support makes all the difference.
Help Musisicians can work with you in a range of ways to help in times of difficulty. Their wellbeing support focuses on two areas: physical and financial wellbeing. Their services are available and tailored for: student musicians, early career musicians, working musicians (aged over 20) and retired musicians. For more information, visit: https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk
Musicians' Wellbeing Guidance Pack
From mental health to having a healthy lifestyle, Musicians’ Union offers a comprehensive series of expert advice and guides to take care of your state of mind and body while working as a musician.
British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM)
BAPAM is the medical charity for the performing arts. They offer a range of services including free clinics, workshops and resources. They work in partnership with other organisations such as The PRS Members Fund to create the InTune resource.
InTune
An online tool built by PRS Members Fund and BAPAM for artists to help improve their well-being. After answering a series of questions about yourself, InTune can then direct you to relevant health resources to improve your wellbeing.
Tonic Music
Tonic Music for Mental Health, Training and Support for Music Industry Professionals and Music Fans
Promoting good mental health and recovery through music. The Tonic Rider programme promotes good mental health in the music industry with bespoke training and support. Tonic Music’s Never Mind the Stigma programme provides information stands at gigs, festivals and events, as well as community support.
Julia Payne talking about The Balance Toolkit during a Jazz North Workshop on Stress.
The Balance Toolkit
Initially a series of mental health talks to help creatives balance their minds and their books, Balance has evolved into this toolkit. In it you’ll find bitesize video clips – from those talks and other business-focused training – plus other quick reads, audio insights and exercises to do yourself.
Our hope? That we can help you make sense of how to live well and make a good living as a fellow creative…
Full 54 minute recording of Julia Payne’s workshop.
Let’s talk about stress (baby)
This is a recording of friendly and practical session run for Jazz North by Julia Payne of the Hub exploding some of the myths about stress and exploring what goes on physically and psychologically when we get stressed. Topics covered:
What actually is stress? What’s the point of stress?
Stress points: getting to know your stressors
Mind, body and soul: what stress does to us
How we can cope better with stress
The good, the bad (and the ugly): positive vs negative pressure
Identifying your stress-busting superpowers (resourcefulness)
Slides from Julia’s presentation. Let’s talk about stress