this talk: is about providing mental health support within the music industry - with Alexandra Williamson & Blue Rhythm
Hi, could you tell our readers a little bit about Blue Rhythm and what you do?
Hi, Thanks for having us on this talk!
Blue Rhythm is an anonymous support platform designed for the music industry. We connect artists and music industry professionals with pre-vetted, accredited coaches for mental health and substance use support. Blue Rhythm Coaches are not only accomplished in their fields, but understand and have experienced the industry for themselves.
We work to facilitate treatment, support and resources for the music industry, where you can remain anonymous, and speak with someone who has been there too.
What led you to start Blue Rhythm?
Growing up, substance abuse was something that wasn’t openly talked about, although most of my family was severely affected. I started out working in music from an early age, and was often sent to fetch a substance, as it was seen as a solution to the problem. After working across venues, agencies and events, I started to observe people I was inspired by, struggling with the same issues my family had experienced. I knew I wanted work in music, that’s where my passion is, but I also knew I wanted to create and work towards something that made the industry better, and safer, for everyone involved.
Unfortunately, artists are at greater risk than the comparable, general population - with risk of death 2-3 times greater, suicide rates 2-7 times greater, and 73% having reported battling with stress, anxiety and depression. Despite this, I couldn’t find any infrastructure making it easy for artists to find anonymous and relevant support.
Sources: Kenny, D.T. (2015). Morbidity and mortality in popular musicians: An examination by era, sex and music genre. Bellis MA, Hughes K, Sharples O, et al (2012). Record Union, The 73 Percent Report (2019). Med Probl Perform Act (2016)
Similarly, it’s difficult for artist representatives to find support for their artists. The process of finding, vetting, and matching support for their artists can be quite a difficult maze, as there isn’t just one, streamlined solution. I wanted to create this, an infrastructure of support, designed specifically for the music industry - so that everyone involved can access support that is both safe and anonymous.
What are the particular struggles you think people within the music industry face?
I think a lot of people in music experience the same thing. They have decided to work on something they are passionate about, which creates a great amount of drive, but this also means there isn’t always a clear distinction between the professional and the personal. Since the industry is not really comparable to other fields it is often difficult to find support, especially support that you trust and who understands what you may be experiencing, and why it’s worth it to you. From this, I think people often experience fear, and this can manifest itself in different ways. The music industry is a complex, entangled ecosystem, and with that comes experiences and obstacles which affect each person differently. Just looking at stats, artists are predisposed to experience anxiety and substance use at higher rates than the general public, which are issues people need support for in order to lead a sustainable lifestyle and career.
Do you feel like the industry is lacking in terms of mental health support?
There are numerous charities and initiatives across the industry doing incredible work, trying to make a change. The spotlight has certainly adjusted, and conversations about mental health are continuing to shine light on the problem. But I do think there’s a need for more support, and especially an infrastructure that effectively caters to both individuals and organisations. Despite making headway, everything is extremely decentralised, so finding a solution is by no means simple. For artists, something like HR doesn’t exist. So even if you feel comfortable asking for help, there’s not a straightforward answer to determine who is going to cover this help. The responsibility is displaced. I think artists and the wider industry would benefit from having access to support, in which they can remain anonymous. Mental health support should be standard, allowing individuals to proactively maintain their mental health. But in order to set this standard, we need solutions in place which are both accessible and approachable.
Could you explain to our readers how your work could address such issues?
The two challenges we observed related to anonymity and perspective. Shared experience is vital if you are trying to support someone in the music industry - it isn’t going to be an easy ride, and by having coaches who have experienced the industry for themselves, Blue Rhythm provides support which understands you, and has been there. The second is trust, and this relates to our central ethos of providing support anonymously. It is important that people feel safe and comfortable, especially when seeking support for issues they wish to keep private. Our work is formed around the idea that your name is none of our business, you should be able to receive support on your own terms.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the music industry?
I think the most important thing is to take care of yourself, whatever form that may come in, do what’s best for you. Sometimes I can change my entire day by just taking a bath with epsom salt, taking a moment to close my eyes and clear my mind. Sometimes I need to talk with someone. The music industry is fast-paced, and there can be a lot of pressures. At the end of the day, what happens in your head is the reason why you’re in this industry, and it is the source for everything you create and do. Proactively taking care of it is never a bad idea.
Any final thoughts?
We hope this provides a bit more insight into Blue Rhythm, and why we exist. At the end of the day we are working to make the lives of artists safe and sustainable. You should be able to pursue your passions, and be able to easily find support. We’re here to help, and always available to have a chat, which is always anonymous.