The UK’s Young Classical Artists Trust Launches Musicians’ Mental Health Month

Partnering with performing arts medicine and mental health services, the mental health campaign for early career musicians will run from April 3–28, 2023

The Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) has partnered with the Musicians’ Union (MU), British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), and Tonic Rider, to raise awareness of mental health resources available to early-career musicians. 

This annual month-long campaign is now in its second edition. From April 3–28, 2023, several free events and resources will be made available, including one-to-one coaching sessions with arts consultant Marion Friend MBE and an “Introduction to Mental Health” webinar from Tonic Rider.

New to the campaign, Tonic Rider is part of the charity Tonic Music for Mental Health, which supports those in the music industry with training, support, and resources. 

Tonic Rider’s mental health webinar and discussion will cover common mental health difficulties that young musicians may face, and provide guidance on how to support the self and others in similar positions. To register and apply for the events, click here. 

Another contributor to the campaign is BAPAM — the largest performing arts medicine service in the UK for over 30 years. The organization provides free clinical assessments for those with health problems affecting their performing arts practice. 

“Young classical artists encounter many stressors as part of the early stages of their career, therefore, it is important to highlight the impact these can have on mental health and teach skills for musicians to support themselves, their colleagues and the wider music community,” said Tonic Rider coordinator Jeordie Shenton.

Also part of the initiative, free mental health zines are available for download here, and MU’s Young Freelancers’ Guide to Mental Health in the Music Industry is free to access here. 

“The UK cost of living crisis is a major concern for us all, and the impact it has on our members’ mental health is just one of the areas it impacts,” added Rose Delcour-Min, MU’s wellbeing officer. “[We are] committed to helping musicians get help and access the much-needed support and services that protect their careers and their health. 

Founded in 1984, YCAT helps bolster the careers of emerging artists internationally. Providing professional career guidance and performance networks, YCAT also offers multi-year management of selected artists, plus online career development for all freelance musicians.

“In the last year I have seen musicians being a lot more open to talking about mental health in the industry, which is so key to breaking the taboos that can still exist,” explained YCAT project manager, Kate Blackstone. “That’s why it’s more important than ever to be signposting musicians to sources of advice and support. We are very proud to be reiterating our commitment to the maintenance of Early Career Musicians’ Mental Health.”