The Music Industry’s Wellbeing Reckoning: Is 2025 the Year of Real Change? Over the past few years, discussions about mental health in the music industry have been growing louder. From TikTok burnout

The Music Industry’s Wellbeing Reckoning: Is 2025 the Year of Real Change?

Over the past few years, discussions about mental health in the music industry have been growing louder. From TikTok burnout to the relentless pressures of loss-making tours, artists are facing a landscape that often prioritises content and profit over their wellbeing. However, early 2025 feels like a turning point—one where the conversation is moving beyond acknowledgement and towards real, structural change.

A Wake-Up Call for Industry Responsibility

One of the latest voices to push for systemic change is pop icon Ariana Grande. In a recent episode of WTF With Marc Maron, she spoke candidly about the pressures faced by young artists and actors, emphasising the need for therapy to be a non-negotiable part of contracts.

“You need a therapist to be seeing several times a week,” Grande said. “Because if this hits the way we know it’s going to, because we’re the big studio… we know how your life is going to change. We see how it can change and affect people in a negative way. We should be responsible for protecting you from that.”

This statement echoes what many in the industry have been advocating for years—mental health support should not be an afterthought or an individual burden, but a built-in safety net within the structures that profit from artists’ work.

The Reality Behind the Curtain

For many musicians, the pressures of the industry go beyond recording contracts. The expectation to be constantly available, endlessly creative, and commercially viable in an unpredictable economy creates a level of stress that can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression.

Touring, once considered the lifeblood of an artist’s career, has become increasingly unsustainable. Rising production costs, unpredictable ticket sales, and the mental and physical toll of being on the road have forced many artists to scale back or even cancel tours. The constant pressure to maintain visibility on social media platforms like TikTok has only compounded these challenges, turning creative expression into an exhausting demand for engagement.

Moving Towards Action

While conversation is crucial, meaningful change requires action. What would it look like if major labels and studios implemented the kind of support Grande is calling for?

• Mandatory Mental Health Support: Labels and production companies should include regular therapy sessions as part of artist contracts, with mental health professionals experienced in the unique pressures of the industry.

• Healthier Touring Models: More sustainable touring schedules, adequate rest periods, and mental health resources for artists and their teams could help reduce burnout.

• Social Media Boundaries: Labels could set clearer expectations around social media use, providing artists with digital wellness strategies rather than pressuring them to constantly create content.

• Industry-Wide Standards: Similar to how sports organisations provide mental and physical health resources for athletes, the music industry could establish standardised mental health policies for labels, managers, and live event organisers.

What Hey Mate is Doing

At Hey Mate, we believe that wellbeing should be embedded into the music industry, not treated as an afterthought. That’s why we provide mental health support to artists, festivals, and music organisations, helping them create healthier, more sustainable careers.

In 2024, we partnered with QMusic to deliver wellbeing services at Big Sound, Australia’s largest music industry event. We also provided mental health first aid training for Brisbane Festival and supported them with remote therapeutic services. Our collaborations with organisations like Queensland Ballet, NIDA, and Adobe have brought mental health awareness into creative spaces. And we’re continuing to push for more accessible support through our industry partnerships and advocacy.

The Road Ahead

It’s encouraging to see high-profile artists like Ariana Grande using their platforms to push for systemic change. But real progress will come when industry leaders take responsibility and implement tangible support structures for artists at all levels.

The music industry has long been built on the passion and creativity of its artists. It’s time to ensure that same industry actively supports their mental health, so they can continue creating without sacrificing their wellbeing.

If you’re an artist, manager, or industry professional looking for wellbeing support, reach out to Hey Mate. Let’s build a healthier, more sustainable music industry—together.

Mental Health Resources for Musicians

• Hey Mate – Wellbeing support for artists and creative professionals: www.theheymateproject.com

• Support Act Wellbeing Helpline – 24/7 free, confidential phone counselling for musicians, crew, and music workers: 1800 959 500

• Music Minds Matter – Mental health support for music industry professionals in the UK: 0808 802 8008

• Beyond Blue – Mental health support and resources: 1300 22 4636

• Lifeline Australia – 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention: 13 11 14

• Calm – App for guided meditation and sleep support: www.calm.com

• Headspace – Meditation and mindfulness for stress and anxiety: www.headspace.com

Your mental health matters. Let’s make 2025 the year the music industry truly steps up.