Depression
According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 280 million people suffer from depression(1), making it the most predominant mental health illness globally (2). Musicians are reportedly three times more likely to experience it too, with 68.5% of respondents citing depression in a 2016 and 2018 study of over 2,000 music makers (3).
Listen to these episodes:
Symptoms of depression aren’t just limited to ‘feeling sad’.
Here are some other things you might be feeling:
down, upset or tearful
restless, agitated or irritable
guilty, worthless and down on yourself
empty and numb
isolated and unable to relate to other people
finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
a sense of unreality
no self-confidence or self-esteem
hopeless and despairing
suicidal
Behavioural symptoms:
avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy
self-harming or suicidal behaviour
difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions
losing interest in sex
difficulty remembering or concentrating on things
using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual
difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
feeling tired all the time
no appetite and losing weight, or eating too much and gaining weight
physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause
moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated
Particularly as musicians, our work can require a lot of energy, which can be hard to muster when feeling depressed. It can also be hard when our time is either spent alone, practising, or surrounded by lots of people in a busy environment. Here are some other reasons why musicians are especially at risk of depression:
Risk factors for depression in musicians
Instability/inconsistency of work
Feeling undervalued by local authorities/governments
Difficulty in being able to define success
Connecting self-worth to ability to create/perform music well
Reliance on validation from fans, colleagues and audiences
Financial difficulties arising from being self-employed in a competitive and over-saturated environment
Not having the financial means to seek support or treatment
Pressure to socialise or network to gain opportunities
Difficulties maintaining meaningful relationships outside of work
Lack of benefits such as pension, paid annual leave/sick leave etc.
Anti-social working hours and touring schedules
Lack of boundaries leading to an ‘always on’ or ‘could do more’ mentality
Drastic contrast between the ‘high’ of performing and the come down afterwards
Sexual harassment in the work place
Alcohol or substance abuse
Suicide
“Every year 703 000 people take their own life and there are many more people who attempt suicide. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind. Suicide occurs throughout the lifespan and was the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds globally in 2019.
Suicide does not just occur in high-income countries, but is a global phenomenon in all regions of the world. In fact, over 77% of global suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2019.”
Like with all things mental-health-related, there are many myths that need to be explored. Here are just a few from Samaritans:
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In reality: People who kill themselves have often told someone that they do not feel life is worth living or that they have no future. Some may have actually said they want to die.
It's possible that someone might talk about suicide as a way of getting attention, in the sense of calling out for help. It’s important to always take someone seriously if they talk about feeling suicidal. Helping them get the support they need could save their life.
The majority of people who feel suicidal do not actually want to die - they do not want to live the life they have.
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In reality: Often, feeling actively suicidal is temporary, even if someone has been feeling low, anxious or struggling to cope for a long period of time. This is why getting the right kind of support at the right time is so important.
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In reality: 1 in 5 people have thought about suicide at some time in their life. And not all people who die by suicide have mental health problems at the time they die.
However, many people who kill themselves do suffer with their mental health, typically to a serious degree. Sometimes it’s known about before the person’s death and sometimes not.
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In reality: The majority of people who feel suicidal do not actually want to die; they do not want to live the life they have. The distinction may seem small but is very important. It's why talking through other options at the right time is so vital.
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In reality: Suicide can be a taboo topic. Often, people who are feeling suicidal don’t want to worry or burden anyone with how they feel and so they don’t discuss it.
But, by asking someone directly about suicide, you give them permission to tell you how they feel. People who have felt suicidal will often say what a huge relief it was to be able to talk about what they were experiencing. Once someone starts talking they’ve got a better chance of discovering options that aren't suicide.
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In reality: Suicide is complex, and it's not just related to the seasons and the climate being hotter or colder, and having more or less light. In general, suicide is more common in the spring, and there's a noticeable peak in risk on New Year's Day.
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In reality: People who say they want to end their lives should always be taken seriously.
It may well be that they want attention in the sense of calling out for help, and helping them get support may save their life.
Finding Support
Click on the images to find out more:
The national mental health charity
A UK charity that work to aid those who live with mental health and learning disabilities
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to listen to anything that is upsetting you, including intrusive thoughts and difficult thoughts of suicide and self-harm
Offers emotional support and information from 6pm–11pm, 365 days a year
If you're a man experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you
If you are a student, you can look at the Nightline website to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service
If you live in Wales, you can contact the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) for a confidential listening and support service
The LGBT+ helpline. If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, Switchboard is available from 10am–11pm, 365 days a year, to listen to any problems you're having.
Help Musicians’ dedicated mental health service, Music Minds Matter, provides direct support 24/7 to everyone working in the UK music industry
Sources:
1 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
2 T., Barber, RM., Bell, B., Bertozzi-Villa, A., Biruyukov, S., Bollinger, I., ...Murray, CJ.. (2013). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 301 acute and chronic diseases and injuries in 188 countries, 1990-2013: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease study. The Lancet, 386(9995), 743-800.
3 https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/musicians-are-three-times-more-likely-to-experience-anxiety-or-depression-than-the-general-public
4 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/symptoms/
https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/get-advice/health-wellbeing/mental-health/mental-health