'Nobody should have to face the complexities of newfound fame alone'

Following the broadcast of documentaries featuring the stories of young musicians' struggles, including No Matter What and Boybands Forever, the British Psychological Society has called on those who work with performing artists to provide access to independent psychological support as standard. Joining forces with pop stars and industry figures, the BPS said vastly improved mental health support was needed for musicians to help them deal with the pitfalls of fame.

Without adequate support, the BPS said performing artists are often 'thrust into a perfect storm of intense public scrutiny' which can have a devastating effect. As well as improved access to psychological support, the BPS has encouraged those in managerial roles in the music industry to sign a voluntary code of conduct, which aims to safeguard the mental health of the artists they look after.

The BPS has suggested that support for performing artists could include psychological assessment at the start of performers' careers, regular mental health check-ups, adequate rest periods, access to mental health professionals while touring, and safeguards to protect artists from social media abuse. It is also calling for the formation of a coalition of senior leaders in the industry to come together to drive up standards. This coalition could include record labels, management stables, touring companies and those working in the media.

Lee Murray, the drummer for 90s pop group Let Loose, emphasised the importance of mental health support. 'When the band finished, it felt like the end of everything. The phone calls suddenly stopped, and I felt totally abandoned. It was so harsh. Trying to get used to normal life outside of music, which was all I'd known until then, was a huge shock and my mental health spiralled. It was a dark, horrible period where I was utterly lost.

'I really could have done with mental health support, but there was nothing available at that time – I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I did. While the music industry might have evolved since then, and I'm now in a happy place and loving being back with the band since we reformed in 2023, I still feel strongly that the music industry needs to do much better when it comes to supporting performing artists and looking after their mental health when contracts come to an end.'

Katie Waissel, singer-songwriter and founder of O.W.H.L. Foundation, said from her own experience in the creative industries that mental health support, psychological welfare, and safeguarding should be mandated and remain independent from record labels and show productions. 'It is essential that mental health services are delivered with the professional duty of care expected from HCPC-registered practitioner psychologists.'

Waissel said she was honoured to support the BPS call to action. 'Despite systemic calls to action and many reports of breaches of duty of care and negligence in the industry, it's incredibly frustrating that no significant or tangible measures have been implemented thus far. This persistent inaction raises a critical question: Why has meaningful change not yet occurred? Through O.W.H.L. – "overseeing the welfare, human rights, and liberty of all those in the creative industries" – I look forward to collaborating with the British Psychological Society to provide tangible, proactive solutions to these systemic and global challenges.'

President of the British Psychological Society, Dr Roman Raczka, added: 'We must strive to create an environment where a performer's mental well-being is treated on a par with professional success. Those who work with performers should also ensure psychological resources are available to meet the needs of young artists as they embark on, and throughout, their careers. Nobody should have to face the complexities of newfound fame alone.' er

If you are a performing artist who would like to share your story for the Psychology Matters programme, please email [email protected].