Teardrops on my guitar: Soundcheck for musicians’ mental health

A new support service for musicians is being applauded by music and mental health insiders, with legendary Kiwi musician Mike Chunn calling it “crucial”.

The Wellbeing Service was launched by the New Zealand Music Foundation at the APRA Silver Scrolls Award ceremony last month, in response to the results of a survey conducted in July.

Mr Chunn rose to fame in the ‘70s and ‘80s playing in Split Enz and Citizen Band, but quit performing due to agoraphobia. He said without assistance or information he felt he had to hide his anxiety disorder.

“I didn't have a name for it for eight years. I was so embarrassed, presuming I had a psychic weakness that I would never cure myself of. What would I tell someone? Would I turn around to the band and say ‘I'm absolutely terrified’?”

Now the CEO of the Play It Strange trust, an organisation that teaches young New Zealanders songwriting, Mr Chunn said the new initiative will offer people in the music industry the kind of help he wishes had been available in his time of need.

“It’s crucial what the Music Foundation is putting in place. I think in a decade it will prove an enormous benefit to a lot of people.”

Providing assistance online, over the phone and in person, the Wellbeing Service is available 24 hours a day, free of charge and nationwide, to anyone working in the industry.

New Zealand Music Foundation general manager Peter Dickens said through their work with the music community it had become clear mental health was a recurring issue.

With more than 1350 respondents, New Zealand Music Community Wellbeing Survey showed over a third of those in the New Zealand music scene have been diagnosed with mental health disorders, while 84 per cent reported disruption to their daily lives due to stress.

Mr Dickens said an industry-specific service was necessary.

“When you're in the thick of things and things aren't going so well and the wheels are falling off, the times when you most need help, it’s actually the hardest for you to reach out.”

Counsellors for the service have been recruited because of their experience working with people from creative industries, said Mr Dickens

“That's the main reason why we feel this needs to exist, we believe that there’s something to providing support that’s particularly tailored to them from people that understand exactly what they're going through.”

Mr Chunn said specificity and first-hand experience are often key.

"The people I've spoken to really want to talk to somebody who has experienced it.

“So I'm here if the music foundation want to bring me in, just as someone to talk to somebody who's got those kind of chronic anxiety disorders."

Paula Taylor, director of engagement for the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, said the programme is a great addition to mental health services in New Zealand.

“We think it’s wonderful that they are taking a positive and proactive approach toward supporting the mental health of their members."