Help Musicians launches new charity for Musician’s Mental Health

Help Musicians has registered Music Minds Matter as a single-focus charity, set up and sustained by Help Musicians, to support the mental health of all who work in music across the U.K. This year, the listening ear service (one element of the widening support offer) has seen a 30% increase in calls, signalling an ongoing, growing need for increased mental health support. Creation of the new charity will mean all fundraising income generated for mental health by the charity is solely dedicated towards improving mental health.

Music Minds Matter’s first Board of trustees, announced today, represent a diverse set of skills and experience in the music industry. They will provide insight and focus to drive awareness to the whole music industry and help improve access to necessary mental health support. Silvia Montello, CEO, Association For Electronic Music (AFEM), and existing Help Musicians Trustee, has been announced as the first Chair of Music Minds Matter.

The new Board will be made up of: Gareth Mellor, Global Head of B2B Marketing, FUGA; Juliette Edwards, Deputy Chief People Officer Talent and Wellbeing, PPL; Maria Wray, HR Director, United Talent Agency; Melanie Johnson, Head of Investor Services, Utopia Music; Paul Firth, Director of International, Amazon Music, and Reni Adadevoh, Senior Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs, Warner Music International. Jim Benner, one of Help Musicians existing trustees will also serve on the new board.

This World Mental Health Day (Monday October 10) Music Minds Matter will bring together significant influencers within the music industry to lead a discussion about best practice in mental health support and how to drive positive change. ‘Mental Health in Music: Leading positive change’ will take place at Abbey Road Studio 2.

Music Minds Matter was established in 2017 as a 24/7 mental health support line for all who work in music across the U.K. It has since evolved to encompass the around the clock support line as well as peer support groups, self-care sessions and a comprehensive music-focused mental health guidance website, Music Minds Matter Explore. Registering Music Minds Matter as a subsidiary charity, gives it the best of both worlds – the backing of Help Musicians and, as and the single-minded focus of a distinct charity with its own board providing strategic leadership; and ensuring that all fundraised income is directed solely towards the charity’s mental health mission.

James Ainscough, Chief Executive at Help Musicians said: “Since Music Minds Matter launched in 2017, we have seen the need for mental health support continue to grow year-on-year. Musicians and those who work in music have been through an incredibly difficult time during the pandemic. And, sadly, coming out the other side is proving just as challenging, if not more. So the time is right to set up Music Minds Matter as a single-focus charity. With the full backing of the Help Musicians team and resources, the Music Minds Matter Board will have the freedom to drive forward our work on mental health, so we can reach more of those who need our support, and build vital partnership right across the music industry. Silvia and the new board of trustees bring the wealth of knowledge, understanding and passion needed to guide Music Minds Matter in this new and exciting phase and I look forward to working with them”

Silvia Montello, CEO, AFEM and Chair of Music Minds Matter said: “Having worked in music my entire career, I have sadly seen and experienced first-hand the devastating impact on the mental health of too many great colleagues, friends and artists. Music brings such joy to so many people; we need to ensure that no-one involved in creating and sharing it across the music-loving community is left to suffer the effects of stressful, unhealthy and often precarious livelihoods, and is able to share in that joy and to thrive in their own daily endeavours.”