Help Musicians have created a new single-focus charity, Music Minds Matter, to support the mental health of everyone working in music across the UK.
Earlier this week, the BRIT award-winning singer Arlo Parks became the latest artist to pull tour dates due to mental health issues, following similar cancellations of shawn mendes, sam fenderRussian, wet leg Y Divulgation.
The first Music Minds Matter Board of Trustees will provide insight and focus to raise awareness and help improve access to needed mental health support. Association For Electronic Music (AFEM) CEO Silvia Montello has been announced as the first president of the new charity.
“Having worked in music for my entire career, I have sadly seen and experienced firsthand the devastating impact on the mental health of too many great colleagues, friends and artists,” says Montello. “Music brings so much joy to so many people; we must ensure that no one involved in creating and sharing it in the music-loving community suffers the effects of stressful, unhealthy, and often precarious livelihoods, and is able to share that joy and thrive in their own day-to-day lives. efforts.”
The new board will be composed of: Gareth Mellor (FUGA); Juliette Edwards (PPL); Maria Wray (UTA); Melanie Johnson (Utopia Music); Paul Firth (Amazon Music) and Reni Adadevoh (Warner Music International). Jim Benner, one of Help Musicians’ existing trustees, will also serve on the board.
“We have seen that the need for mental health support continues to grow year after year”
Music Minds Matter was established in 2017 as a 24/7 mental health support line for everyone working in music across the UK, and has since evolved to encompass support groups. peer-to-peer, self-care sessions, and a music-focused mental health guidance website. Music Minds Matter Explore.
“Since Music Minds Matter launched in 2017, we have seen the need for mental health support continue to grow year on year,” says Help Musicians CEO James Ainscough. “Musicians and those who work in music have been through an incredibly difficult time during the pandemic. And sadly, getting out the other side is proving just as challenging, if not more so. So the time is right to establish Music Minds Matter as a single-focus charity.
“With the full support of the Help Musicians team and resources, the Music Minds Matter board will be free to further our work in mental health, so we can reach more people who need our support and build a vital partnership across the globe. world. music industry. Silvia and the new board of directors bring the wealth of knowledge, understanding and passion needed to guide Music Minds Matter into this exciting new phase and I look forward to working with them.”
Music Minds Matter will bring together major influencers within the music industry at Abbey Road Studio 2 on October 10 for World Mental Health Day to lead a discussion on best practice in supporting mental health and how to drive a positive change.
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