Sound Check - June
Welcome to the latest edition of Sound Check, our bi-monthly check-in on all things mental health in the music community.
In this month’s edition, we dig deep Inside the Mind Of crew worker Christian McBride, as he discusses his mental health and wellbeing journey whilst on the road and the importance of reaching out when you need to. We continue the theme of touring life with a brand new resource for those who work in the field.
You can also check out some helpful de-stress exercises for all those working in the industry who need to declutter some built up stress.
Thank you for your ongoing support and if you have any feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Clive Miller
CEO
INSIDE THE MIND OF...
“We all know about the physical and mental health challenges that can arise on the road and at gigs big and small. Events themselves can be stressful and intense at the same time of the exhilaration of delivering the show. Travel, fatigue, long days and late nights can all add up.”
Christian McBride, an experienced crew worker and CrewCare board member, shares his experiences with mental health and wellbeing during a time of great opportunities and unexpected loss.?
“Whilst this was a wakeup call for my own physical health and lifestyle, what I didn’t realise would be so overwhelming was the grief that came with the loss. I still remember the day I pulled off the freeway in tears and called the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline.”
In this story, Christian highlights how the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline has supported him through his challenges, as well as a new initiative that CrewCare has introduced for crew workers working on site.
TOURING RESOURCE
Touring and being on the road for extended periods of time can be an exciting and memorable experience. However, it can be challenging to stay grounded and maintain communication with your loved ones back at home.?
Ensuring that you implement self-care techniques, a work-life balance and of course making sure that you look after others who are on the road with you is vital to your touring experience.
Our brand new touring resource shares pre-tour, on tour and post-tour advice and recommendations that will support you during the ups and downs of life on the road. We also share specialised resources for crew members to utilise whilst on tour.
DE-STRESSING EXERCISES
Managing stress in the workplace, whether that be an office, backstage, or on the stage, can be difficult to navigate at the best of times. Some common signs of stress include fatigue, headaches, indigestion, insomnia and anxiety.?
We show our stress in four ways, physically, emotionally, cognitively and behaviourally. Although stress is a natural state, constant stress can be exhausting and draining.
Taking the time to manage your stress through diffusing your thoughts, is a way to create a path of relief and improved productivity. Something as simple as taking a few big deep breaths can help clear the mind.
Shifting negative thoughts into positive ones, and shifting your perspective in situations where you may feel like you don’t have control, is a great technique to use when you find yourself in these circumstances. This exercise can teach your mind to look at a situation with a different lens.?
Another technique that you can use during a challenging situation is the visualisation exercise. This involves closing your eyes and taking three deep breaths. Visualise a square as you count to five, and focus on the line at the top, hold your breath for five seconds, then continue imagining the lines of the square as you breathe for counts of five.?
NEWS
Safework Strategy Launch
The New South Wales Government launched the Psychological Health and Strategy 2024 to 2026 on 16 May. The strategy addresses psychological risks in the workplace, aiming to help employers manage psychosocial risks and protect their employees from psychological harm.
领英推荐
The strategy is backed by $5.6 million over the next two years to deliver mental health programs to small and medium businesses through Black Dog Institute and Transitioning Well.?
Suicide Prevention
Equip yourself with live-saving skills through our online specialised Suicide Prevention training in partnership with LivingWorks. Register before 30 June for free access to our 90 minute training to become an invaluable advocate for mental health.
This training is available to anyone aged 16 and over who works in the industry as a musician, crew or music worker, or someone who supports someone within the music community.
EVENTS
Mental Health Check-Ins
Calling all music industry managers and team leaders! We’re excited to announce our first free and online Managers Wellbeing Check-In happening on Thursday 4 July from 10am-11:30am (AEST). Register here.?
We also have a Music Workers Wellbeing Check-In coming up on Monday 15 July from 10am-11:30am (AEST) for Musicians, composers, producers, crew and sole traders. Register here.
NAIDOC Week - Yarning Strong
Yarning Strong - NAIDOC Week: Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, loud and proud! will be happening on Wednesday 10 July at The Retreat Hotel, Bulleke-Bek/Brunswick from 1:30pm-2:30pm.
Join Mitch Tambo alongside a soon to be announced panel of First Nations music creatives as they explore 2024’s NAIDOC theme in the context of how resilience, mental health and wellbeing can be expressed through music.??
Thank you to JB HIFI for their ongoing support via the Helping Hands Program - JB-HIFI's workplace giving program; and the Victorian State Government Community Support Fund.
WHY MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Access All Areas is a program designed to educate members of the music workforce how to actively intervene when witness to sexual harassment, sexual assault and bullying.
Ensuring that these issues are tackled in workplace environments is key to improving the mental health and wellbeing of music workers and creating a safe and welcoming space for all.?
Here’s a testimonial from someone who has recently attended one of these training sessions.?
“An incredibly helpful and thought provoking session. I left with useful, practical and industry specific strategies for assisting during or after future incidents, to help have a positive impact on the industry moving forward.”
Keep an eye out for more sessions coming up in the near future!
TOOLS & TIPS
Looking to learn more about wellbeing?
Support Act’s Mental Health Resources, specifically curated for those who work in music, is the perfect place to start!
With tips on how to tackle common mental health issues, free mental health resources, video series featuring some of your favourite artists and past mental health events, this is a great place to explore and support yourself through not so easy times.