Entertainers among those most at risk for mental health struggles

• Musicians, actors, and entertainers are among the top five occupational groups with the highest suicide rates, according to a study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) from 2011 to 2015.

• The unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry, financial instability, intense public scrutiny and lack of healthcare access all contribute to the mental health challenges faced by entertainers.

• Researchers advocate for the music industry to adopt the Zero Suicide Framework. It includes increasing conversations about suicide prevention, providing training to recognize warning signs, implementing evidence-based interventions, ensuring continuity of care, and investing in ongoing research.

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Many entertainers face immense mental health challenges. A Frontiers new paper highlights that musicians and actors are among the professions with the highest suicide rates.

A report by Dr. George Musgrave, a musician and academic, and Dr. Dorian Lamis, a clinical psychologist, highlights the growing crisis. Their research draws from a study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which ranks musicians, actors, and entertainers among the top five occupational groups with the highest suicide rates from 2011 to 2015.

Musgrave and Lamis point to several factors that contribute to these struggles. The unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry, financial instability, and intense public scrutiny all play a role.

Musgrave says some musicians enter the industry with pre-existing mental health conditions, but they’re stepping into a work environment that’s almost entirely unsuited to their emotional needs.

Lack of healthcare access creates a treatment gap

For many musicians, inconsistent healthcare makes it harder to get help. Lamis notes that their employment instability often means losing access to mental health resources. Touring artists, in particular, struggle to stay connected to their providers.

Industry-wide change needed

Musgrave and Lamis argue that the music industry must take a more proactive approach. They suggest using the Zero Suicide Framework, a seven-part model designed to prevent suicides in high-risk groups.

Applying this model to the music industry would include:

• Increasing conversations about suicide prevention among industry leaders.
• Providing training for managers, friends, and family to recognize warning signs.
• Implementing evidence-based interventions, such as the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale.
• Ensuring continuity of care for musicians on tour with scheduled mental health check-ins.
• Investing in ongoing research to improve mental health resources for entertainers.

Protecting entertainers’ mental health

The report calls for collaboration between researchers, industry executives, and mental health professionals. Musgrave and Lamis believe the industry must do more to protect its artists.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for support.