Watch a revealing new documentary on mental health and dance music premiered at Amsterdam Dance Event

With World Mental Health Day a week or so back, we explored the rising issue of depression and suicide in the music industry, particularly highlighting the lack of support networks for musicians and others on that music grind. Studies by UK association Help Musicians found that 55% of musicians believed there was a severe lack of mental health services for musicians and music industry workers and that approximately 45% of musicians would be willing to see a dedicated mental health counselling service for musicians, with many, many more admitting that they had faced problems with depression and anxiety in the past. In a new documentary aired at Amsterdam Dance Event, Why We DJ — Slaves To The Rhythm, the issue of mental health in the dance music industry specifically is placed on a pedestal with big-name DJs including Carl Cox and Pete Tong going in-depth and personal about their experiences with mental illness and what should be done to help. It highlights issues including creative pressure, lack of sleep, alcohol and drug abuse, media attention and a couple of more problematic issues in dance music culture, with music industry professionals and psychiatrists also bringing up some really insightful points.

Australian Mental Health Week has now passed but this issue is something which must be addressed all the time for it to start to improve, so we highly recommend getting around the documentary and sharing it with any pals in the industry who may need a hand. Watch the full doco below:

Need to talk to someone? Call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36, Headspace on 1800 650 890 or QLife – for LGBT+ persons – on 1800 184 527.

For advice and support networks for musicians and workers in the music industry, head to Entertainment Assist, Support Act Australia, Help Musicians UK or MMF and Music Support’s Music Managers Guide to Mental Health.