World Mental Health Day, 2023
To mark World Mental Health Day 2023, we’re considering the main aspects of a Musician’s mental well-being and what can be done to help. If you require any further support regarding the information discussed below, then please reach out to Music Minds Matter today.
The Importance of Musician Wellbeing.
Tuesday October 10th marks World Mental Health day, which shines a light on the importance of our emotional and psychological welfare. Beyond the applause and accolades, the spotlight often exposes a unique set of challenges, as professional musicians grapple with intense pressures that can significantly burden their mental health.
Today, we are delving into three significant areas of mental health that affect artists: imposter syndrome, music performance anxiety, and fatigue & burnout
Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter Syndrome plagues many, but for musicians, it often strikes a more resonant chord.
According to the Musicians’ Union, a staggering 87% of music professionals struggle with Imposter Syndrome, a significantly higher percentage than the 62% observed in the general workplace. The condition is characterised by an individual’s enduring feeling that, despite visible success, their accomplishments are not deserved.
The fear of being musically “exposed” - especially when working as a dep musician - has become increasingly commonplace within professional settings. Yet, it may serve as a potential indicator of Imposter Syndrome. This mindset not only leads to stress and anxiety but can severely dampen a musician’s self-confidence. Combating this requires a multi-faceted approach, combining a mix of therapy, seeking solace in support groups, and, most crucially, fostering a practice of self-compassion and self-recognition.
Music Performance Anxiety.
One might be tempted to assume that seasoned musicians are immune to “stage fright”, but the reality paints a different story. In fact, the contextual term, Music Performance Anxiety (MPA), was coined since the condition was so rife and complex within the industry. Dianna Kenny defined MPA as follows:
“The experience of marked and persistent anxious apprehension related to musical performance that has arisen through specific anxiety conditioning experiences and which is manifested through combinations of affective, cognitive, somatic and behavioural systems. It may occur in a range of performance settings, but is usually more severe in settings involving high ego investment and evaluative threat. It may be focal (i.e., focused only on music performance) or occur comorbidly with other anxiety disorders, in particular social phobia. It affects musicians their entire lives and is at least partially independent of years of training, practice and level of musical accomplishment. It may or may not impair the quality of the musical performance.”
The implications of this are profound.
Apart from hindering career growth, it robs artists of the very joy that drew them to music in the first place. Managing music performance anxiety involves personal interventions such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, exposure techniques to confront and reduce the fear, and relaxation exercises to calm the mind before a performance.
Burnout & Fatigue.
Given the relentless nature of a musician’s working week, it’s not uncommon for exhaustion to be a prevalent issue. However, burnout and fatigue aren’t merely the results of one too many late-night gigs; they stem from sustained periods of stress, gruelling tours, back-to-back recording sessions, and the incessant demands of staying relevant.
Chronic weariness, a growing cynicism towards one’s craft, and a deepening sense of detachment are all alarm bells that shouldn’t be ignored. The repercussions extend beyond just lacklustre performances, manifesting in physical health issues and strained personal connections. Resisting burnout is an active process: it demands setting tangible boundaries, ensuring regular intervals of rest, and, when necessary, seeking professional therapeutic intervention.
Our Commitment.
At JukeJam, our commitment is not just to the art but also to the well-being of our artists.
As a team of professional musicians, we have a first-hand understanding of the industry’s inherent pressures. Our responsibility therefore goes beyond representation of our artists; we are unwaveringly dedicated to ensuring the holistic well-being of our musicians.
To fulfil this commitment, we provide dedicated resources and maintain transparent communication channels, ensuring that our artists know they have a consistent support system in place.
We are steadfast in our resolve to prioritise the well-being of our musicians, placing it firmly at centre stage.
Additional Support.
If you are a musicians and you wish to seek further support regarding any facet of your mental health, then please consider the following resources: