The Creative Industry's Relationship With Mental Health

It’s the start of the New Year, meaning it’s about halfway through winter. Although, there’s maybe a bit longer than that to go here in Scotland. While most of us are trudging on happily enough (well, as happy as a January can be), some of us will be quietly going through seasonal mood disorders or similar mental wellbeing related illness. Depression and Anxiety are on top form through the winter months and for those suffering, the festive season can feel suffocating.

I generally try to be as open as I can be about mental health and for those of you who know me personally, you will know that it’s something that I deal with on a daily basis. The creative industry is particularly dense with those who display symptoms of mental illness, or are diagnosed already.

In fact, you are three times more likely to experience mental health issues, according to a study undertaken by University of Ulster*.. The study showed that elements of working in the industry such as odd working hours, low pay and lack of job security can have negative impacts on one’s mental health. Anxiety and depression were noted as the most common of the illnesses. Out of the almost 600 people that had been surveyed, 60% of the participants had experienced suicidal thoughts. However, in a surprise turn, the study also claims that most of the people taking part in the study considered themselves as happy.

However, for a domain that relies on human expression as a central element, the topic can seem oddly taboo within the inner circles. Working in music and media is a gratifying profession, but one which has it’s drawbacks. A part of the problem can be boiled down to the 'high-turnover, less reward' climate in the industry (external contributing factors aside). The competitive nature of the work is high demand and at times, ruthless. It is an industry that is driven by a constantly moving goal; to be the leading voice of developing ideas.

However, this can be detrimental to the process in which the essence of creativity is overshadowed by the final outcome rather than the creative process itself. There is a sort of creative cycle that most people will be familiar with. In which, the personal elements of the work itself is vulnerable to both sides of criticism. Receiving negative criticism will usually effect the emotional response of the creator and in turn receives feedback that would illicit a more opaque creative response. A polarisation which is distinctive of the turbulent emotional and physical demands of the industry.

In saying all this, the conversation surrounding mental health in the last few years has amplified and is becoming a less stigmatised, more liberal discussion. For employers, and within the industry itself, it has become obvious that the trend around working creatively and reaching your maximum potential is an ideology that has become a predominant goal among many. More so, the distinctively human traits that are fundamental in creativity are the very elements which can be neglected in favour of a quick turnover or low paid work. All this at a time when real collaborations and personal networks are becoming ever more important.

Nowadays, we search for real meaning in things but in an increasingly digital landscape.

Our mental and emotional states help define us as human beings. And with awareness of mental health growing, there has never been a better time to face these problems if you have them. There is a demand for positive change, and by focussing conversation and encouragement in this area we can guide ourselves to a more open, honest wellbeing.

An employer (at least in an ideal world) would be, although not responsible for your mental health, responsible instead for ensuring that there is a supporting culture in the workplace. Clamping down on things like overworking, comparison and withdrawal, will create a more inviting environment for others to speak out. As an employee, begin a dialogue with your peers. Most often than not you will find them to be more accommodating than you would have initially thought. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Considering all of this, here’s a few things that I always find are useful starting points that help with my mood and creative flow. Which at the start of the year is always out of sync with me.

Just like every other other blog on the internet that discusses mental health, I should note that there’s not a one stop shop for improving your mood, but if there was it would probably be exercise. Or dogs. That being said, hopefully this will be useful to someone out there!

Mindmapping

I love mind mapping. If you tend to work visually, creating a mind map is one of the most useful tricks I ever learned. Brain dumping everything I can think of onto a blank canvas and taking it from there. I’ve always found that it’s easier to work with something that you think might not necessarily be what you are looking for and then working backwards from there. Plus, at least that way there is some material down on paper, which is already the first hurdle! This goes the same for the composing elements of a project as well, but I think I will discuss the idea of musical sketching another week.

Listen to yourself

Personally, I always listen to my own music before beginning work on a project. Usually in a mix with tracks that I’m enjoying at the time or something relevant to an upcoming project. Although, I listen half out of pleasure, half out of analysis. For me, building a relationship with my own music in relation to others’ gives me a perspective that helps highlight elements of the music that when mixing or writing without any point of reference. Also, the power of hindsight is pretty important.

Organisation/scheduling

It goes without saying really but organisation is key. Plan in scheduled time to work on your project, but be careful to ensure that the time is reasonable and the tasks for that timeframe are manageable. Don’t worry if you don’t necessarily feel like writing or are feeling creatively stunted. Just write something down, or break down the task at hand down until you have something that is easier to work with and build from there. A lot of the time I find that the hardest thing to do is find that first idea, wether it be a theme, a chord or even a note. When I know what I’m going to be working with, it’s a lot easier to sculpt the audio.

*Changing Arts and Minds

https://www.inspirewellbeing.org/media/9241/changing-arts-and-minds-creative-industries-summary.pdf

Suicide Hotline (uk): 116 123

https://www.musicmindsmatter.org.uk/

http://www.theselfspace.com/

https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/working-retired-musicians/mental-health