Mental health within the Music Industry

Written by Gene Convery.

May is mental health awareness month, and at the time of writing this, the world is in one of the worst economic crisis it has ever seen. Like many others; the music industry has been significantly impacted. Venues are closing their doors indefinitely, with some having to close for good, The staff that they employ such as performers, roadies, security and many others within the industry are losing jobs, many filing for unemployment and trying to look for any work they can just make ends meet. However, what they are finding is that they are either experiencing ageism, or that the skills they have built in the music industry over the years are being overlooked.

This is not only adding huge pressure on relationships, families and loved ones but it is also affecting the mental health of around four million workers across the country that rely on the music and hospitality industries to survive. Many people have become increasingly fed up and have just applied for anything they can; seeking out jobs like fruit picking, restocking shelves, night work at hospitals and any cleaning and sanitation jobs that are available.

For those that have not been able to get jobs, or able to lean on family and friends, the situation is even dire, with people facing eviction, being forced to stay on friend’s couches and even live in their cars. A few short months ago we had years worth of work ahead of us, and now we are struggling to eat and pay rent.

Personally, here at BTD we have had to make some necessary cutbacks as we have seen our bottom line for the year basically dry up. This has hit not only me personally very hard, but our entire team, as collectively, we had a dream and it was taken away through no fault of our own. Easter long weekend was meant to be our official “Debut Party” where we were due to host our first international touring artist. Now, I have no idea when this can be achieved.

Everyone keeps saying “it will be ok” or “don’t worry, things will bounce back”. But reality is things being “ok” and “bouncing back” is a long way away for me and so many others in our industry. Personally, it has been one of the hardest times of my life, where business blues have done the cardinal sin and spilled over into my personal life, affecting my relationship and friendships, leaving me at times thinking “F&CK THIS, I AM DONE!” and turning my back on it all. Thankfully, I have an amazing support network including my wife, business partner, team (who not only kept BTD alive, but thriving) and friendship circle who have been there for me and helped me through the dark times. As a result of this, we are starting to ramp back up again.

Now that I am coming out of my depressive haze and re-entering the industry, I am starting to see just how bad it really is, yet no one is really talking about it. I have been speaking to DJs, promoters, event organisers, bar staff and everyone in between there is a sombre feeling among people that can no longer be ignored. People are struggling with the uncertainty, they don’t know if they will ever be able to go back to the job they loved, and if they do, what will be left of the industry?

On top of this, no one is really sure how long it will take for people to go back to clubs and

venues even when we are allowed to. People are turning to drugs and alcohol to get a break from their current “reality”, while others are locking themselves away, behaviours that are masked due to us all being in isolation, where this may seem like “normal” behaviour. Everyone is so caught up in their own stresses and anxiety that we are forgetting about those normally “happy” hospitality staff, DJs and security, thinking “they’ll be fine”. I got news for you, they are far from it! While you worry about WHEN your job will go back, they are not only worried IF their previous venue of employment will EVER re-open, but they also worry about their future career outside of the hospitality and events industry, given Australia is currently experiencing a high rate of unemployment.

Even when the industry starts to turn around, what is the escape going to look like? So many quality venues have already closed their doors for good and with many more to follow suit in the coming months, what can we expect? The imminent future does not look great and with the predictions that festivals and large-scale events will not be back for six months or more, and continuing travel bans, we may need to wait even longer to see international artists travelling into Australia for shows.

If you have read this far, I want to ask you to do something - If you know someone that works in the industry, give them a call and check-in. If you are an EPIC person and want to do something a little more on a local level hit the GoFundMe link below and help out some of the staff from The Met Brisbane, who are doing it really hard at the moment.

Remember that these people are the people that bring you so much joy and allow you to forget your busy lives for a night, let’s not forget them.

This Go Fund Me has been set up by the General Manager of The Met Brisbane (James) to help provide food vouchers to struggling hospitality workers, yes some are doing it that tough.

Support Act is an amazing organisation who provide Mental Health support to people who work within the Music Industry.

GENERAL 1300 731 303

WELLBEING HELPLINE: 1800 959 500

For additional resources relating to mental health, head to https://headtohealth.gov.au/