On the Road Again: Mental Health Solutions for Musicians
Whenever I define mental illness, I categorize it as, “any behavior that doesn’t make sense.” For me, if you ask yourself, “Why would anyone do this?” and you have no good reason, mental illness could be the reason because it Doesn’t Make Sense. When a person has a wonderful life but is depressed, it doesn’t make sense. When a person thinks they are amazing but those around them disagree to no avail, it doesn’t make sense. And, when a person acts in a way that defies what others should rationally do, it could be mental illness. At the same time, does the predisposition of suffering automatically mean a person will take their own life? The question is always, “Could I/we have done more?” This is the real question I ask everyone with this week’s blog.
When We’re Only Left with the Classics
With the suicide deaths of Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell, is anyone else thinking, “Why weren’t they helped?” Does anyone else have a sense of anger, that without them we have lost the music that will never get made, as well as the fact that their actions created this option for others to believe that killing yourself is a viable option to suffering? We can recognize that their struggles were chronic and not because of the music, but still feel emotions such as anger and despair when experiencing a suicide loss. For me it has irrevocably changed the way their songs sound and the experience of singing, “In the end it doesn’t even matter.” It has ruined the beauty that that song once held, it’s over and I did matter. It still matters. Is that fair to the others in the band who helped make the music but have to suffer the outcome in the worst way? On the other hand, that lack of fairness becomes obvious when we lose anyone to an unexplained death. Strong emotions often seek to find something to blame it on. It’s easy to say it’s no one’s fault, but at what point do we start to take a real responsibility for the mental health of those who have no choice but to suffer from mental illness?
Whose Responsibility is it to Care for Artists who Travel?
It’s common knowledge that life on the road is hard, but what is it really like for someone with a mental illness? When a person who stays in one place seeks help, a therapist will encourage them not to isolate, to seek out the support of loved ones they live with, and create a schedule that can adjust to what their needs are on any given day. How can self-care even exist for them in a world where the means of their income is something that has been committed to months, even years in advance? So my question is, whose responsibility it is to make sure that our artists are able to take care of themselves while being there for the fans? Themselves? The recording label? The tour management team??
The Barriers to Getting Help on the Road
It is not common knowledge how difficult it is for someone who is traveling to get counseling, sobriety support, or even see a doctor regularly to take care of medications. How can they even fill their prescriptions for medical needs? Even though we have telehealth and online support, therapists and doctors are only allowed to practice in the states at which they are licensed. Given how hard it is to go to your first therapy appointment and to stick with someone you trust, what happens when time in between sessions or appointments drags on? People are less likely to go again, that’s what. And therefore, suffer more. Even if record companies want to hire someone who has skills in supportive therapy, there’s simply no legislative or regulatory structure in place that would allow a mental health professional to keep their license while also working with people outside of the state(s) in which they are licensed.
So What Do We Do?
Truthfully, as is the case for most complex policy issues, there is no easy answer. What I DO know however, is that it’s time we started to think more about how to strategically address this gap in coverage. How much more music do we have to lose before we recognize that traveling artists and touring performers need more support? How can we as the fans, main supporters, make mental health easier to access?
This outdated concept of individual state licensure is leaving musicians and other artists who share their gift with us all, without the means to access help on the road. Until there’s a comprehensive solution such as an interstate compact for mental health providers, artists can find counseling support with an online therapist or group that has obtained licenses in multiple states. This is particularly helpful for performers who are constantly in a particular region and require flexibility in seeking support for the grueling, stressful paces that accompany traveling.
If you are a musician currently struggling to find counseling, please reach out to me for free assistance in finding support, regardless of your location.
Additional Resources:
PSYPACT is a program currently only for doctoral level psychologists in these states who are now able to practice over state lines: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah, with Pennsylvania pending legislation.
[https://www.asppb.net/page/PSYPACT]
See map for current and future states participating: https://www.asppb.net/mpage/legislative
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hollie O’Keefe is the founder and lead counselor at Where You Are Counseling. She specializes in college students, care givers, complex illnesses, and major life changes. In addition, Hollie has over a decade of experience in emotional struggles such as anxiety, depression, trauma, loss of motivation, burn out, and apathy. If you are interested in working with Hollie, please contact us at (609) 801-2939 or request a free consultation.