Music Support is a registered charity that helps peers who work in the UK music industry experiencing challenges with substance use and/or mental health. Founded in 2016 by people from within the music industry, our team have all been impacted personally by these issues and seen friends, colleagues and heroes lose their careers, families and even their lives. Our core services include training in Mental Health First Aid to empower individuals to look after the wellbeing of their colleagues (and themselves), Support Services to include a confidential Helpline and provision of assessments and treatment, ‘Safe Hubs’ backstage at festivals, providing a space for artists and crew to take time out and speak to Mental Health First Aid trained staff and our new Family and Friends Service, designed to help loved ones (including colleagues) of those supporting someone with problematic drinking, drug use or other addictions.
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Total raised so far £16,025
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0The Music Industry was hit hard by the pandemic and cost of living crisis with the way back still uncertain for many. The demand on Music Support's services has increased significantly and sees us currently supporting the highest number of beneficiaries since our inception (which could be anything from answering a crisis Helpline call to providing funding for rehab and long term after care). We have seen a 51% increase in demand to our Helpline in the last year alone. Common stressers range from challenges with alcohol and drugs through to anxiety, depression and burnout.
In Summer 2023 and 2024, we carried out an anonymous wellbeing survey with artists and crew at UK festivals. The 2024 results demonstrate how our peers are struggling:
- 76% said they ‘felt down or depressed’ in the last 12 months (an increase from 75% in 2023)
- 26% said they have experienced problems with drugs or alcohol (an increase from 19% in 2023)
- 49% said they were experiencing mental health problems (an increase from 40% in 2023)
- 40% said they were experiencing relationship problems (an increase from 29% in 2023)
- 21% said they had experienced suicidal thoughts (an increase from 18% in 2023)
93% saw it as either extremely or very important for services such as Music Support to be available (an increase from 89% in 2023)
We rely upon funding to enable us to continue our crucial efforts in supporting our peers. Every penny counts. Thank you for your support
What have our beneficiaries said about Music Support?
"I am exceptionally grateful for all the support I have received in my recovery. The weekly phone call from George has been pivotal in helping me cope with daily life stresses and anxiety-triggering events back in the real world. I am back playing, writing and recording music, my fears of being able to be creative sober have dissipated and I am gaining confidence week by week."
"I just want to say you have been so incredible through this journey, thank you so much. You don’t know me and didn’t need to help in the way you did, but in a dark time, you were a constant non-judging support and I feel so grateful to you."
“Music Support never gave up; my son is now in rehab and working on his recovery. They have been pivitol in helping to secure the funding, resulting in my son now receiving the intensive treatment he needs to help him overcome his addiction and underlying mental health issues."
Read more beneficiary testimonials here
How funds raised are used:
- £5 could help us answer a call that could save someone's life
- £10 could contribute towards the cost of a clinical assessment to determine the treatment required for a beneficiary in crisis
- £20 could contribute towards a bursary so that Music Support can provide free mental health or addiction and recovery training to an industry freelancer
- £30 could contribute towards the cost of a 'Safe Hub' backstage at festivals offering instant crisis support to artists and crew
- £50 could contribute towards a beneficiary's detox and/or residential treatment, starting their journey into recovery and providing hope for the future
