NEWS
Collaboration, community, and education – these are the key themes of the recommendations resulting from a research study on the mental health and well-being of music creators in Denmark. Spearheaded by the Partnership for Sustainable Development in Music, efforts are now underway to translate these recommendations into tangible initiatives.
In spring 2023, a research-based study focusing on mental health and well-being was initiated by the Partnership for Sustainable Development in Music. One year later, the recommendations on how the music industry can enhance mental health and well-being are now finalized.
Collaboration, community, and education encapsulate the essence of the researchers’ recommendations, derived from the study’s three in-depth phases. Initially, researchers collected data through a survey, revealing the extent of the problem among over 1,800 creative and performing musicians. Subsequently, researchers examined existing and applied interventions in the music industry, followed by an analysis of the wants and needs of music creators in Denmark. The initial findings from the study were presented to the public in November 2023, clearly indicating that Danish music creators experience significantly lower levels of well-being compared to the general population, with particular distress observed among women and younger artists in the music scene.
Turning the recommendations into action
The findings of this research serve as the foundation for the recommendations that are now being presented. The recommendations are intended to inspire concrete actions and initiatives in the music industry. They encompass initiatives that can bring together existing and new support services onto a unified platform, making it easier to access the right help. The researchers also highlight the value of peer support and recommend establishing forums where individuals can share experiences and seek advice from one another.
Furthermore, the study identifies the significant value in better preparing students for life as musicians post-graduation. The research team ultimately recommends ongoing education for industry professionals to better equip them to respond when a musician is struggling with their well-being.
“As part of our research, we’ve engaged with musicians directly, hearing firsthand about their experiences within the music industry. We’ve also encountered many insightful and progressive actors within the industry ecosystem – all expressing a desire for tangible change. Therefore, our recommendations aim to improve the mental health and well-being of those who create and perform the music that enriches so many lives,” says Dr. Sally Anne Gross from the University of Westminster, one of the two lead researchers on the project.
Now, the researchers hand over the baton, after which the partnership will work on translating the recommendations into concrete initiatives across various sectors of the industry.
“While the backdrop of the study revolves around the significant challenges concerning mental health and well-being in our industry, today marks a small positive step forward. We now possess a series of qualified and well-documented recommendations that we are confident can make a real difference for creative and performing musicians suffering from stress, anxiety, and a sense of fundamental loneliness in their work with music. Now, it’s time to roll up our sleeves, come together, and collectively – both within the partnership and the industry at large – develop and implement solutions, thus fostering a more sustainable music scene where everyone can thrive,” says Gorm Arildsen, CEO of Koda and a member of the steering committee for the Music Life Partnership.
“Though the background of the study revolves around the significant challenges of mental health and well-being in our industry, today marks a small positive step forward. We now have a series of qualified and well-documented recommendations that we are confident will make a real difference for the creative and performing musicians suffering from stress, anxiety, and a sense of fundamental loneliness in their work with music. Now, we must roll up our sleeves as quickly as possible, come together, and collectively – both within the partnership and the industry at large – develop and implement solutions to create a more sustainable music scene where everyone will thrive,” says Gorm Arildsen, CEO of Koda and member of the steering committee for Partnership for Sustainable Development in Music.
The research team presents the recommendations
The research team from the University of Westminster in England, responsible for the study, will present the recommendations at the partnership’s industry day on April 22, where the industry will convene to brainstorm concrete initiatives, as well as at the SPOT+ festival on May 3.
The Project has received funding from Velliv Foreningen
The project is backed by Velliv Foreningen. Velliv Foreningen works towards ensuring that more Danes lead a good life with well-being. Velliv Foreningen supports projects that promote job satisfaction and mental health in the workplace.
