Everything we do at Amber Health is Informed by Empirical Research
Understanding the Problem: The THRIV Survey
Mental health issues among international touring professionals in the music industry
Until this point, there existed almost no empirical research on mental health in the music industry. So, our team went to work, and in 2019, our research team (THRIV) was born, with the mandate to conduct rigorous scientific research on mental health in the music industry.
We created the Touring Health and Wellness Survey, which gathered vital insights from over 1,400 touring professionals. The findings highlighted the prevalence of key mental health outcomes and uncovered the factors impacting mental and physical health, thereby establishing critical baseline data in an under-researched population.
The results of this study provided the first comprehensive look at the mental health challenges faced by touring professionals, and laid the foundation for much future research.
34
%
reported suffering from clinical levels of depression vs 7% for the general population
74
%
reported that touring strained their relationships
26
%
reported serious suicidal ideation (either a previous suicide attempt or considering suicide within the past year)
58
%
have lost a colleague to suicide
17
%
reported attending therapy even monthly (or more often)
A Change Is Gonna Come
Two Clinicians' View on the Music Industry’s Mental Health Crisis, the Impact of COVID-19, and How We Can Build A Healthier Future.
Building on the foundational insights of the THRIV Survey, this White Paper — authored by Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer, LMFT — presented an in-depth exploration of the mental health issues in the music industry, highlighting key risk factors while outlining potential protective measures to support the well-being of its workforce.
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A spotlight has been shone on perhaps the greatest threat to the music industry’s survival: a growing mental health crisis that has been looming for years, evidenced by staggering rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicide among its members.
Exploring Interventions – The Role of Mindfulness
A Key to Resilience in High-Stress Environments
Our research uncovered a critical factor for reducing suicidality in high-stress environments: mindfulness. By moderating the effects of stress and depression, mindfulness offers a path to resilience for music industry professionals.
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Mindfulness isn’t just a practice—it’s a lifeline for those under extreme stress.
Ecological Momentary Assessment Study
A Real-Time Analysis of the way mental health challenges present on tour and the mitigating impact of support services.
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This groundbreaking study in partnership with MusiCares will provide real-time insights into touring professionals' mental health challenges and the efficacy of Amber Health's services while on the road.
what can the music industry learn from other high-stress industries?
Position Paper: Mental Health Challenges and Support in the Music Industry Compared to Other High-Stress Professions
Amber Health will soon release a comparative study on the mental health crisis among music touring professionals, showing rates of stress, depression, and suicidality on par with — or exceeding — those found in high-risk industries. Additionally, we will explore what can be learned and adapted from effective mental health solutions already existing for those other professions.
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%
The mental health struggles of music industry professionals are among the highest of any working demographic in the world. The current data should be a significant cause for concern —it suggests that the industry is, at present, falling worryingly short in providing comprehensive mental health support to its people, in particular to the touring sector, as relative to other industries.
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