Music Minds Matter is Help Musicians UK's commitment to launch a dedicated 24/7 support line and service for the UK music industry. And we are grateful for the resources they have collated that you can access now, wherever you are. These mental health tips focus on UK musicians, showcasing an extensive range of subjects that are transferable to other territories and in everyday life.

Access all the resource links here:

HOW TO OVERCOME PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

Performance anxiety or “stage fright”, can strike even the most accomplished musician. It’s also something that impacts people from all walks of life. Public speaking engagements, just like music performances, can cause performance anxiety. It brings a range of symptoms that can be more than distressing and actually undermine your performance and even affect your wellbeing. Some even consider it like other anxiety disorders doctors will diagnose.

HOW TO PRIORITISE SELF-CARE WHEN WORKING IN MUSIC

There’s a lot to deal with right now. The combination of the cost of living crisis, the continuing repercussions of the pandemic and the ongoing political uncertainties make it a tough time to be working in music. These free, guided online self-care sessions will provide you with techniques and strategies to work through challenging times, equipping you with tools to use on an ongoing basis.

A YOUNG FREELANCER’S GUIDE TO MENTAL HEALTH AND THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

This guide was created at the request of the MU’s Young Members Network, who felt that a lot of the advice out there did not work for them. It is intended to provide helpful insight and advice as you navigate the industry as a young freelance musician. It also includes tips on identifying and managing anxiety and other issues, and when to seek help or access specialist support. 

ADDICTION (Podcast)

In this podcast episode, we hear from musician and psychotherapist Chula Goonewardene about his experiences with addiction whilst working as a drummer. We then hear from therapist Adrianna Irvine about her work, substance use in the music industry and where musicians can go for support. Here you will find additional useful resources in mental health in the music industry.

HOW DO YOU PRACTICE GOOD SLEEP HYGIENE?

Optimizing your sleep schedule, pre-bed routine, and daily routines is part of harnessing habits to make quality sleep feel more automatic. A handful of tips can help in each of these areas, they aren’t rigid requirements. You can adapt them to fit your circumstances and create your own sleep hygiene checklist to help get the best sleep possible.