NEW ZEALAND MUSIC FOUNDATION RELEASES FINDINGS FROM COMMUNITY WELLBEING REPORT

The New Zealand Music Foundation provides support to members of the local music industry in times of illness, distress and hardship, and develops and assists projects across all areas of society that use music to positively influence the lives of those in need. 

The charity has today released a full report from its New Zealand Music Community Wellbeing Survey. Conducted in July this year, the survey is currently the world’s largest per-capita quantitative research project to examine the health and wellbeing of the music community. Over 1350 respondents answered 40 questions about their working hours and income, sleep, nutrition and exercise, drug and alcohol use, mental health, support networks and more.

Initial results from the survey, released in September, showed that over a third of songwriters, composers and performers report having been diagnosed with a mental health disorder - almost double the incidence in the general population (1)- and were two and a half times as likely to have been diagnosed with depression as the general population (2). 

The full report further reveals that songwriters, composers and performers are almost three and half times as likely to have an issue with hazardous drinking as the rest of the population. 

It also found that of the 140 survey respondents who reported making plans and preparations to commit suicide, 100 said they had gone on to make a suicide attempt (3).

Comments from those surveyed illustrate the difficulties of a life in music:

 “This is such an important issue for artists - many of us find ourselves supporting each other clumsily, through the power of solidarity alone. Others of us just don't talk about it with people at all.”

 “It has been a lonely road at times and one where I have watched a lot of friends die. My hope is for a better, healthier future for musicians, an environment in which they will be treasured and respected.”

Informed by the initial survey findings, the New Zealand Music Foundation Wellbeing Service was launched on September 29th, a world-first online, on the phone and in-person free professional counselling service for Kiwi music people experiencing hardship. Service Director Julie Crawley comments: 

“In the eight weeks the service has been in operation we’ve had an extraordinary response, higher than any other industry support line service of this type in my experience. While some calls have been general in nature, others have been serious with presenting issues including mental health, managing in the industry, the difficulties of financial sustainability, depression and anxiety, chronic health concerns and more.”

Julie feels the service is making a great impression:

 “Those who have been referred to in-person counselling have given feedback that the sessions have been of great relief and help. There is a genuine appreciation of there being a tailored avenue of support available for music people now, and I believe that use of The New Zealand Music Foundation Wellbeing Service will grow and develop.”

The full New Zealand Music Community Wellbeing Survey report can be found at www.nzmusicfoundation.org.nz/wellbeing/survey/

The New Zealand Music Foundation Wellbeing Service can be accessed now at www.nzmusicfoundation.org.nz/wellbeing, via email at wellbeing@nzmusicfoundation.org.nz, or by telephone on 0508 MUSICHELP.

NEW ZEALAND MUSIC FOUNDATION LAUNCHES WORLD FIRST WELLBEING SERVICE FOR LOCAL MUSIC COMMUNITY

The New Zealand Music Foundation provides support to members of the local music industry in times of illness, distress and hardship, and develops and assists projects across all areas of society that use music to positively influence the lives of those in need.

The charity has today announced the launch of its latest initiative to support Kiwi music people: The New Zealand Music Foundation Wellbeing Service.  A world first, the service offers 24-hour online, on the phone and in-person counselling, specifically tailored to the music community, in order to provide support for those who are experiencing emotional, physical and mental health challenges.

The Wellbeing Service reflects the commitment of the New Zealand Music Foundation in providing proactive assistance to those who make our music happen. The service is available free of charge to anyone working in the New Zealand music industry unable to access help due to hardship or other circumstances, and is staffed by registered professionals with experience in providing support to creative people.

The Wellbeing Service was established in response to the results of the New Zealand Music Community Wellbeing Survey conducted by the charity in July. With over 1350 participants, initial survey results already paint a detailed picture, showing that many in our music community are experiencing health and wellbeing issues at incidence rates often far in excess of the general population:

Songwriters, composers and performers report having attempted suicide in their lifetime at a rate more than double that of the general population.[1]

Over a third of songwriters, composers and performers report having been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, almost double the incidence in the general population. [2]

Songwriters and composers are two and a half times as likely to have been diagnosed with depression as the general population.[3]

84% of all those who responded to the survey report experiencing stress in the last year that has impacted on their ability to function day to day.  

Encouragingly, nearly two-thirds of those surveyed reported they would be likely to contact a servicesuch as The New Zealand Music Foundation Wellbeing Service if they were experiencing difficulty.

General Manager, Peter Dickens, comments “We’ve worked hard to listen to the voices of those making their way in music in New Zealand. It’s a vibrant, vital and exciting industry and we’re very proud to be able to launch this service today . We hope it will further support kiwi music people to enjoy healthy, productive and fulfilling lives in their chosen careers.”

The New Zealand Music Foundation Wellbeing Service can be accessed now at www.nzmusicfoundation.org.nz/wellbeing, via email at wellbeing@nzmusicfoundation.org.nz, or by telephone on 0508 MUSICHELP.