An Emory University study published in Frontiers in Public Health has identified significant suicide risks among musicians, shedding light on factors that contribute to the increased risk and highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions within the music industry.
Co-authored by Dorian Lamis, PhD, associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine, and George Musgrave, a sociologist at Goldsmiths, University of London, the research points to unique challenges faced by musicians, such as mental health issues, substance abuse, financial instability, relationship strain and performance anxiety.
These factors are particularly pronounced among female artists and are consistent with occupational mortality data from England and the United States, which show high suicide rates among entertainers.
"This study is a wake-up call to the industry and healthcare providers," says Lamis. "Musicians, with their public lives and unique pressures, require tailored, evidence-based strategies to manage and mitigate mental health risks effectively."
The global relevance of this issue is also highlighted through examples like South Korea's K-Pop industry, where similar patterns of vulnerability are evident. Lamis and Musgrave advocate for the adoption of the Zero Suicide framework, an organized approach to enhance care and outcomes for individuals at risk of suicide.
The researchers say immediate implementation of these prevention strategies is crucial to protect the well-being of musicians around the world, ensuring they receive the support they need in their professional and personal lives.
