In the latest installment of the Music Ally Focus podcast, editor Joe Sparrow engages in a candid conversation with music industry psychologist and therapist Anne Löhr, shedding light on the state of mental health within the music sector and evaluating the industry’s efforts in supporting the well-being of its constituents.
Löhr paints a stark picture of the historical approach to mental health within the music industry, characterizing it as “disastrous.” Mental health issues, she contends, were often either disregarded, romanticized, or normalized, perpetuating a culture steeped in the mythos of “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” and marked by rampant substance abuse.
Acknowledging the magnitude of the problem, Löhr emphasizes the critical role of major industry stakeholders in fostering a culture of mental health awareness and support. She asserts that these entities bear a significant duty of care towards all individuals operating within the music industry.
A key challenge, Löhr notes, lies in the industry’s tendency to treat mental health as an individual concern rather than a collective one. This paradigm, she argues, places undue pressure on individuals to navigate stressors on their own, with little institutional support or recourse.
However, Löhr highlights a glimmer of hope amidst the gloom, noting a gradual shift towards a more proactive approach to mental health within certain segments of the industry. She cites an uptick in requests for her services from management and booking agencies as evidence of growing recognition and willingness to address mental health challenges head-on.
While progress may be incremental, Löhr’s observations suggest a nascent movement towards destigmatizing mental health issues and prioritizing the well-being of those working within the music industry.
