Join ABTT Co-chair and Mental Health Advocate Mig Burgess alongside former Clinical Psychology Research Director at the University of Surrey and Chartered Psychologist Associate Director at Hoare Lea, Dr Paul Hanna on World Suicide Prevention day to discuss this important topic.

Using Mig’s own experience as a case study, learn about what steps can be taken for prevention and intervention when someone is at their most vulnerable, as well as understanding post-incident protocols and reintroduction to work. Make sure you are in the best place to help a friend, colleague or stranger in need.

 

ABTT Seminar: Suicide Prevention, intervention and post-incident protocols

(Please note due to the topic of the seminar the Q & A Section was not recorded.)

You can find the Suicide Prevention, intervention and post-incident protocols chat here.

Resources:

Seminar Resources:

Mig’s blog – https://migburgess.wordpress.com/2022/09/14/the-blog-i-never-thought-i-would-be-around-to-write/

Mig’s Mental Health Signposting – https://www.abtt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Mental-health-sign-posting.pdf

Stay Alive app – https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/find-help-now/stay-alive-app/

  • This is a pocket suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information to help you stay safe. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide. In addition to the resources, the app includes a safety plan, customisable reasons for living, and a life box where you can store photos that are important to you

 

The Zero Suicide Alliance – https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com

  • The ZSA are a charity that work with NHS trusts to raise awareness on suicide and break the stigma.  They offer free online suicide awareness training and resources to support people on the topic of suicide.

 

Samaritans – 24 hour helpline 116 123  jo@samaritans.org

 

ABTT Mental Health Resources

Relevant Organisations:

Below are global resources that are more specific to the music industry and are grouped into region.

UK

Backup Tech – https://www.backuptech.uk/  – Wellbeing Helpline:  0800 464 7068

  • Technical Entertainment Charity that provides financial & wellbeing support to technical industry professionals. Can help with emotional support and financial aid.

 

BAPAM – https://www.bapam.org.uk/

  • Provide safe and effective care to solve health problems and ensure a swift return to creative work and practice. The team are experts in the provision of mental health support, physical care and vocal health advice.

 

Music Minds Matter –  http://www.musicmindsmatter.org.uk – Helpline:  0808 802 8008

  • Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Music Minds Matter (MMM) was founded by Help Musicians UK. MMM is a dedicated mental health support line and service for the whole UK music community.

 

Music Support – http://www.musicmindsmatter.org.uk/ – Helpline:  0800 030 6789

  • Music Support provide help and support for those in or employed by the UK music industry affected by mental ill- health and / addiction.
  • website and helpline plus friends and family helpline.

(In September 2024, Music Support are launching ‘The Ripple Effect,’ The workshop is for anyone supporting colleagues or loved ones struggling with substance misuse and co-occurring mental health challenges within the music industry. We know that substance misuse and mental health challenges don’t just affect the individual but can have a severe impact on the well-being of the close bonds that surround them. By offering support to the family and friends of those in need we can help sustain long-term recovery in the individual and their support system.

The workshop will be FREE to anyone who is supporting a colleague or loved one working in the music industry. Register your interest via the application form on their website.)

Tonic Rider – http://www.musicmindsmatter.org.uk/ Tonic Rider promotes good mental health in the music industry. Tonic Rider provides free training and support to music industry professionals, both remotely and at venues.

NORTHERN IRELAND        

Lifeline –  lifelinehelpline.info – Helpline:  0808 808 8000

  • Lifeline is 24/7 helpline service for anyone facing emotional distress. The service providers are all trained counsellors.

 

IRELAND

The Cowshed Facebook Group – facebook.com/share/wpK1ntVKaG1JQkFw/?mibextid=K35XfP

  • Group providing peer-to-peer mental health support and community.

 

Minding Creative Minds –  mindingcreativeminds.ie

  • 24/7 Dedicated Phone Line: ROI: 1800 814 244 NI/UK: 0800 0903677 International: 00353 1 518 0277 Or Text/WhatsApp “Hi” to 087 369 0010
  • Access to experienced team of trained counsellors and psychotherapists who can offer medium-term intervention (12 sessions) and advice covering practical, day-to-day issues that cause anxiety and stress.

 

MAINLAND EUROPE

Mental Health in Music –  mim-verband.de

  • MiM is a contact point for anyone in the music and creative industries looking to take care of their mental health.

 

USA

Backline Care  – backline.care

  • Backline connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources. Work to support quality mental health care providers that understand this line of work.

 

Behind the Scenes – wp.behindthescenescharity.org

  • Provides Basic Needs Grants to entertainment technology professionals, or their immediate dependent family, who are seriously ill or injured.
  • Counselling grants are available to entertainment technology professionals to assist with therapy or rehab.
  • Provides tools and resources to support all entertainment industry workers and their families and promote mental health and wellness.

 

Dissonance – dissonance.org

  • Dissonance produces their own events to further the mission of educating, breaking stigma, and creating healthy spaces. You can find them at festivals, in schools, and at public and private affairs.

 

MusiCares – musicares.org

  • MusiCares provides a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music community in three key areas;
  1. Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services: Support, referrals, and emergency financial assistance for counselling, psychiatric care, inpatient treatment, coaching, intensive outpatient care, sober living and more
  2. Health Services and financial assistance during medical crises and preventative services.
  3. Human Services: Support for basic living expenses like Rent, utilities, car payments ad insurance premiums in times of hardship

 

Music Health Alliance –  musichealthalliance.com

  • #HealTheMusic by providing access to healthcare by removing barriers, finding solutions, and restoring health and hope for music industry professionals nationwide.
  • MHA are there to help those in our industry who have for any reason come on hard times with their health insurance. They are on hand to signpost you towards solutions for your medical bills. They understand our industry and even help families of industry professionals.

 

New Orleans Music Clinic – neworleansmusiciansclinic.org – Enquiries: (504) 412-1366

  • They offer occupational and comprehensive health services to all who work in the cultural community of New Orleans (musicians, vocalists, music tradition bearers, Mardi Gras Indians, music club workers, artists, dancers, etc.) and their household members over the age of 19.

 

Passenger Recovery – passengerrecovery.com

  • Not-for-profit whose aim it is so provide touring folk and their local community with resources to benefit their recovery.
  • Passenger runs weekly 12-step support groups on Zoom for industry folk.
  • Passenger’s Compass allows users to search local recovery meeting options in any locality in USA or UK by zip code.

 

The Roadie Clinic –  theroadieclinic.com/roadie-access

  • The Roadie Clinic exists to empower + heal roadies and their families by providing services and resources tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle. They are committed to providing a safe space for our community to heal off the road, to advocate for – and empower them to obtain – a healthy work environment while on the road.

 

Sims Foundation (Austin TX area)  – simsfoundation.org –   Helpline :  (512) 494 1007

  • The SIMS Foundation provides mental health and substance use recovery services and supports for musicians, music industry professionals, and their dependent family members.
  • Through education, community partnerships, and accessible managed care, SIMS seeks to destigmatize and reduce mental health and substance use issues, while supporting and enhancing the wellbeing of the music community at large.

 

CANADA

Over the Bridge –  linktr.ee/otbnonprofit

  • Changing the conversation of mental health and recovery in the music community.

 

Unison – unisonfund.ca – Immediate assistance call toll free:  1-855-9UNISON (1-855-986-4766)

  • Unison provides access to confidential support services, qualified professionals, and other resources to support individuals and their immediate family members with their mental, financial, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

 

AUSTRALIA

Crew Care – crewcare.org.au

  • Crew Care is dedicated to improving the welfare of all production workers in the live music industry sector including technical and backstage personnel, their loved ones and all who work or have worked ‘behind the scenes’ in Australian live music.
  • CrewCare aims are to provide Support, Advocacy, Fundraising and Education to their members and all those working in our highly stressful Industry.

 

Support Act – supportact.org.au – Wellbeing Helpline:  1800 959 500

  • Free, confidential 24/7 counselling service that is available to anyone working in Australian music who needs to talk to someone about any aspect of their wellbeing.
  • Crisis Relief Grants – 1300 731 303 – Support Act helps artists and music workers facing hardship due to illness, mental health problems, injury or some other crisis, to get back on their feet when they have hit a tough patch or just need breathing space.
  • Support Act is the music industry charity delivering crisis and relief services to musician, managers, crew and music workers across all genres who are unable to work due to ill health , injury, a mental health problem or other crisis.
  • “Help a Mate” Fundraising Appeals -Support Act support friends and family seeking to raise funds for an artist or music worker in crisis. Help a Mate events typically involve a benefit concert and/or online appeal. Support Act provides promotional opportunities, administrative support and financial acquittal of the funds raised. For more information please visit: org.au/give-help/help-a-mate