Health and Wellness Resources
Committing to a Healthy and Balanced Music Community
Folk Alliance International is committed to a balanced and healthy music community, encourages self-care, and appreciates that living as a musician or music industry professional can be a real challenge, with a higher risk for mental illness and substance abuse.
This can be amplified and triggered by consistent factors: public approval/scrutiny, working under stress, unstable income, cost of living, busy tour schedules, distance from family and support, constant proximity to alcohol and drugs, lack of sleep, and more.
If you are in need of support please find below some specific resources.
Substance Abuse
24/7 hotline: National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Passenger Recovery – (Find AA & NA meetings in various US regions)
Alcoholics Anonymous – Find an AA meeting worldwide
Narcotics Anonymous – Find an NA meeting worldwide
Over The Bridge (Mental Health & Addiction Education – Canada)
Suicide Prevention
24 hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Hope For The Day (Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Education)
Samaritans (UK) – Dial 116 123
Mental Health
24 hour National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (USA)
Hispanic American Mental Health shart Group (USA)
Dissonance – Wellness Resources for Artists (USA)
FACTOR – Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (Canada)
Unison Benevolent Fund (Canada)
Over The Bridge (Mental Health & Addiction Education – Canada)
It’s Mental (Canada)
Help Musicians (UK)
Music Minds Matter (UK)
Support Act (Australia) – 1-800-959-500 Wellbeing Helpline is accessible 24/365
Coping with Grief – The Christi Center
Sexual Assault
24 hour National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
FAI’s Creating a Safe & Inclusive Music Community document
Hispanic Mental Health
Las Disparidades Raciales en el Tratamiento de la Salud Mental: Investigación y Recursos
Hispanic American Mental Health Disparities Report
Wellness Tips & Self-Care Resources
A few self-care check-in questions include:
- How am I feeling today emotionally?
- Physically?
- Spiritually?
- What can I do to take care of myself today?
Some self-care practices that can be vital to a healthy life and long career include nutrition, exercise, rest/reflection, balance, and social time.
Nutrition
Healthy eating and proper hydration benefit physical and mental well-being.
TIP: Travel with a water bottle and healthy snacks to stay nourished on the road.
Resource: National Directory of Farmers Markets
Exercise
Physical movement releases endorphins that relieve stress and make us feel good.
TIP: Join a gym or yoga studio that is a national chain so you can go any time while on the road. Or try running, yoga, or other exercises you can do on your own.
Resource: Free Online Yoga Videos / Basic Body Weight Exercises
Rest and Reflection
Proper sleep and quiet time (not working or “being on”) is an important way to reset and enables us to be better equipped to handle challenges.
TIP: Set up alerts/reminders to take time for yourself, even if just for 5 minutes.
Resource: Free Audio Resources for Mindfulness Meditation
Balance
Remember everything in moderation! Having a drink at your gig is fine for some, but having several can hurt your performance and impair your judgment. Same goes for overextending yourself or cramming in too much with too little time.
TIP: Pace yourself in all things. Nothing is more important than your health.
Resource: Work-Life Balance / Cutting Down on Alcohol
Social Time
Even for introverts, social time is important. True conversation and meaningful interaction can help us process problems and see things more clearly.
TIP: When traveling/touring solo, make a point to connect with friends and family.
Articles on mental health & the music industry
The Young Freelancer’s Guide to Mental Health and the Music Industry – Musicians’ Union UK
Music Industry Therapists Resources
Tips on Managing a Return to Performance – British Academy for Performing Arts Medicine
Essential Mental Health Tips for Musicians – How to Cope with Lockdown and Isolation – Music Radar
Tips for Managing Your Mental Health – Spotify for Artists
Music Has a Mental Health Problem That Needs Immediate Treatment (Guest Column)
7 Mindful Mental Health Organizations for Musicians
Perfectionism and poverty: why musicians struggle with mental health
A Listening Ear for Musicians in Need
“HEALTHY WAYS TO COPE: FOR THOSE IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC”
Tale of two MacLellans is story of mental health and music
‘Matters of life and death’: Amelia Curran keeps fighting for mental health care
Self-Care for Musicians – Musician’s Health.com
6 Mental Health Tips for Musicians During the Corona Virus Pandemic – Berklee Online
10 Self Care Tips From Olivia Wik That Musicians Can Easily Adapt To Their Regime – the WiMN | The Women’s International Music Network
Touring & Healthy Eating
How To Keep A Healthy Diet When Touring
How Registered Dietitians Eat Healthy While Traveling | SELF
How to Eat Healthy While Traveling
How To Stick To Your Diet When Traveling: (6 Tips)
Thank you for joining us in committing to a balanced and healthy community for all!
Comments or Questions?
We are constantly seeking new ways to welcome and support creators, helpers, and lovers of folk music worldwide. If you have any questions or comments about these resources or anything related to Folk Alliance International, please contact cindy@folk.org
