‘It’s Time To Talk’: Large Scale Survey To Address Mental Health In India’s Music Industry

Musicians potentially suffer from anxiety and depression at rates up to three times higher than the general public, and have one of the highest suicide rates of all occupations, according to mortality figures in the UK and the US. An increasing number of artists in India are feeling the need to speak about their own mental health struggles as well.

To address and examine this, music educators Global Music Institute and emotional wellness organisation TATVA, along with Goldsmith’s (University of London) and UK-based data specialists Creative Empirical, have launched the survey ‘It’s Time To Talk’.

The nationwide study attempts to understand the scale and nature of mental health challenges among musicians and industry professionals, especially those working in independent/non-film music circles. ‘It’s Time To Talk’ aims to provide data-driven insights that can inform the creation of an independent body that safeguards mental health rights and needs of musicians and music professionals, as well as build a safer sustainable music ecosystem in India. To facilitate this, the team behind the survey will co-host roundtables with industry stakeholders to design interventions tailored to India’s music landscape.

TATVA’s Kripi Malvia adds: "For too long we have seen the myriad ways in which mental health shows up in the Indian music industry, and this data will have powerful implications on policy and mental health service. This research hopes to shed a direct light on the lived experiences and struggles of this diverse group."

You can complete the confidential and anonymous survey here.

For more, follow It’s Time To Talk or head to their website.