Mental health is one of the most integral parts of an artists’ journey. For years the Indian music industry has never given the importance it deserves. Mental health has been treated as a taboo or something hidden, many times the individual suffers alone.

On the second day of At All About Music, held at the Grand Hyatt, speaker Kripi Malviya (Tatva) an existential psychotherapist and Meghna Balani Executive Director of Global Music Institute, (GMI) and the Balani Group of Companies, took a major step addressing the issue with their presentation “It's Time To Talk" - A Report on Mental Health Awareness’ for the very first time on a public stage.

Due to the lack of data from India, the duo conducted a study and survey. Through a PowerPoint presentation and data analysis, audiences were given a first - hand account on how serious the problem was.

The survey was carried across most states in India with over 1300+ participants mostly musicians and industry professionals. Over 700+ actual surveys were gathered by them based on demographic, industry roles and standarize6 mental health metrics.

The findings were shocking. Most of the data came after analysing these 700+ survey data. It was found that 70 % of participants showed a red flag for anxiety, depression and severe psychological distress. Surprisingly it also found a few with suicidal risk.

The study also revealed that the about 89% of LGBTQIA+ professional reported being in suicidal risk.

The survey also revealed that only 11 % of states are actually working to combat this problem with the findings revealing that young professionals aged 25 to 29 faced the highest risk, from dealing with future uncertainty, depression, lack of institutional leverage that also uncovered workplace harassment and discrimination in the music industry.

After looking at the pie charts and data, it was easy to understand that for upcoming and independent artists this presentation marks a shift from vague or fake conversation to hard evidence. Independent artists don’t work under safety nets or control cash flow or any kind of HR support. They are their own independent entities, which is the cause of much uncertainty.

Stating the aim of this survey and the reason they undertook this, Balani stated that the study is to gain an understanding of the health and wellbeing of people working in the Indian music industry.  “By this we hope to help and support industry-specific needs and challenges”. 

The presentation stressed that the solution cannot rely on standard therapy alone. Malviya stated that the music industry must have "industry aware mental health professionals who understand creative precarity, touring pressure and uncertainty cash flow structure”. “Rather than telling artists to just toughen up isn’t the goal. What is needed is to build a safer, inclusive creative environment, peer support network and accessible aid”.

These findings brought out the reality of the mental health burden within India’s music industry, demanding urgent, inclusive and systemic action.

The session closed with a call to action on the screen flashing "It's Time To Act". A QR code covering all the reports was available to download for attendees.

The presentation surely gave an insight and a guide in helping out artists and focusing on the untouched areas of the music industry.

Musicunplugged is the Media Partner for All About Music. 

By Kiran Holkar