Mental Health in the Music Industry

Mental health as a topic, in general, has been gaining a stronger spotlight. This comes as no surprise as mental health is an aspect of every human being’s life. The music industry has a unique role to play in this conversation as both musicians and music have become a way to facilitate the topic of mental health. However, musicians and people who work in the music industry are human beings too, and they have many hurdles to overcome in understanding and supporting their own mental health. This book will cover mental health in the music industry from a multitude of angles. One important barrier to overcome in the music industry is the underrepresentation of females. This book will cover topics as a generalized whole, but it deliberately focuses on females in the music industry in the case studies presented as a small drop of intentional representation. Topics include mental illnesses, alcohol and substance addictions, depression and suicide, imposter syndrome, performance anxiety, social influences, the impact of music on listeners, and ends off with a call to move forward through acts of community. Enjoy the learning journey, and hopefully be inspired to reflect on your own life - whether you need to reach out for mental health support or feel called to become a mental health advocate or even a little of both.