AusLeisure

Suicide attempts among workers in Australia’s art and live performance industry rose over last two years according to findings from a Swinburne University study into the psychological challenges facing music and performing arts workers.

The Centre for Social Impact Swinburne and Support Act’s first Mental Health and Wellbeing in Music and Live Performing Arts survey has revealed that participants report high levels of psychological distress with depression and anxiety levels double that found in the general population.

The survey, conducted in March and April and involving more than 1,300, respondents, revealed that psychological distress, suicidal thoughts and the onset of a number of mental health conditions were prevalent among musicians, songwriters, live production crew, managers, producers and live performing artists.

More than half of the respondents had experienced suicidal thoughts - over four-and-a-half times the proportion of the general population - and among those respondents, more than one in 10 had acted on them.

Almost two thirds reported high or very high levels of psychological distress - four times that found in the general population. Among vulnerable groups, the proportion of highly stressed respondents was even higher: for non-binary people it was 83%, women (72%), people under 35 (75%), people with a disability or long-term health condition (81%) and people on a very low income (81%).

Other findings included:

• 35% reported a current mental health condition, which is 1.7 times the proportion estimated in the general Australian population.
• 29% reported having an anxiety condition, and 27% reported having depression, both more than twice that of the general population.
• More than a third reported incomes from their work in music/live performing arts as less than $30,000 per annum, which is below the poverty line.
• Only 15% said they always felt safe at work, with 35% saying they were exposed to unsafe working conditions in the past year.

Pandemic impacts
The COVID-19 pandemic featured prominently in the results, with more than 47% of respondents losing their jobs as a result. Almost two-thirds said the pandemic had impacted their mental health, 61% said it had affected their feeling of being part of an industry community, and 56% noted increased feelings of loneliness or social isolation.

Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne, Dr Aurora Elmes, says the research indicates that people in music and live performing arts continue to face job insecurity and work environments that can be unsafe for physical or mental health.

Dr Elmes advised “on top of existing issues with working conditions, it reveals the ongoing effects of added stressors arising from the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s work, income, social connectedness, and mental health.

“Participants in this research identified a need for further financial and mental health support for people working in music and live performing arts, as well as a need for broader change within the sector and government support to enable this.

“People want to see action towards improved working conditions and work environments that are safe for everyone’s mental and physical health - including addressing identified issues such as ageism, racism, bullying and sexual harassment.”

Conducted by the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne, in conjunction with music charity Support Act, the first Mental Health and Wellbeing in Music and Live Performing Arts survey identifies the need for further support and improvements in these industries.

Over the past two years, Support Act has disbursed more than 16,000 crisis relief grants to music and live performing arts workers from a $35 million Federal Government fund.

Click here for further information and to read the full survey summary results.

Related Articles

24th May 2022 - LPA looks forward to productive partnership with incoming Federal Government

11th May 2022 - Industry bodies unite to release plan for next Federal Government to back live music

31st March 2022 - Swinburne Sport Innovation Research Group to expand their impact

15th March 2022 - Live music industry set to experience significant growth in the Asia-Pacific region

15th February 2022 - Review into sexual harassment and systemic discrimination in Australian music industry invites input

17th January 2022 - Swinburne University extends Richmond AFLW partnership

16th November 2021 - Media network VMO charts Australians prioritising mental health and fitness goals more than ever before

23rd October 2021 - Career development opportunities offered to Northern Territory young artists and arts workers

23rd September 2021 - Uneven path to return of live entertainment in Melbourne and Sydney

17th August 2021 - Inaugural memorial surfing event raises awareness of mental health issues

12th August 2021 - Support Act receives $20 million funding during extended arts shutdowns

11th August 2021 - Australian live entertainment groups call for federal insurance guarantee

10th August 2021 - $35 million additional funding to broaden support for arts workers and companies

8th July 2021 - VMA says Australia getting vaccinated is the key to live entertainment industry’s road to recovery

26th March 2021 - Support Act welcomes new Federal Government funding for COVID services

13th October 2020 - Research shows impact of COVID-19 on arts and creative sector workers’ mental health

10th September 2019 - Victorian hospitality venues pledge to halt workplace sexual harassment

26th February 2018 - Draft Entertainment Industry Code of Practice to prevent workplace discrimination and harassment

8th January 2018 - MEAA looks to protect theatre workers from sexual harassment

17th December 2017 - Australian Major Performing Arts Group condemns harassment and bullying

28th July 2016 - realSpaces initiative aims to support active lifestyles in local communities

3rd February 2016 - Perth Fringe performers suffer abuse, threats and sexual harassment

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.