The Music Industry Therapist Collective (MITC) is launching a new initiative in response to the rise in racist violence and rhetoric across the UK.

Strength in Unity: A Support Group for Global Majority Music Artists and Professionals will hold its opening meeting via Zoom on Tuesday 10 September from 6.30pm to 8pm.

The online group, which will run over four alternate weeks in September and October, is dedicated to supporting Global Majority individuals working within the UK music industry as they navigate the current challenging times, exploring ways they can support themselves and each other moving forward.

Facilitated by MITC specialist psychotherapist Tameeza Henriot and psychotherapist-in-training Wendy Cave, further sessions will be held on Tuesdays 24 September, 8 October and 22 October.

“It is important to note that Strength in Unity is a support group, not a therapy group,” says a message from organisers. “While both provide valuable opportunities for sharing and connection, a support group focuses on peer-led discussions and mutual support. In contrast, a therapy group aims to treat mental health issues and relational problems in a long term group clinical setting.

“MITC’s support group is designed to create a welcoming community where participants can connect with others who are navigating similar challenges”

“MITC’s support group is designed to create a welcoming community where participants can connect with others who are navigating similar challenges, without the clinical focus of a therapy group.”

Founded by London-based attachment-based psychoanalytic psychotherapist Tamsin Embleton, the MITC is composed of specialist therapists with roots in the music industry, and is committed to offering – at no cost to participants – this supportive space for sharing experiences and connecting with others.

People interested in joining the support group can contact MITC directly here.

Embleton previously spoke to IQ about how the industry can better protect its artists following a spate of tour cancellations due to mental health concerns.

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The Music Industry Therapist Collective’s Soundcheck initiative will be on hand backstage at this year’s Roskilde Festival to provide psychological and physical health support to the event’s emerging artists as they gear up to play the iconic festival.

Combining music industry experience and clinical expertise, MITC’s specialist practitioners will be present on all three days of the 25-27 June gathering, providing daily workshops, and helping artists to build skills in areas that include:

• Mindset with psychotherapist Tamsin Embleton

Perfectionism vs healthy striving, anticipating and coping with set-backs, and cultivating a growth mindset.

• Preparing your body for Performance with injury prevention consultant Tome Levi

Understanding the physical demands of your role, identifying red flags, preventing injuries such as RSI, examples of static and dynamic exercises for pre-performance and post-performance routines.

• Anxiety Relief with psychologist Rosana Corbacho

Targeted techniques to recognise anxiety triggers, calm nerves, boost confidence, and optimise their musical expression.

• Stress Management with psychologist Anne Löhr

The impact of stress to mind, brain and body, what stressors you should pay special attention to as an artist, and what strategies are most effective for relief and resilience.

• Breathwork with practitioner Marcus Blacker

The importance and benefits of functional breathing, better breathing habits, how to use breathwork for optimal performance and post-performance wind down, guided practice.

As a festival with so much focus on bringing new talent into the spotlight, we think it is of utmost importance to support these artists in as many ways as we can.

Artists performing at Roskilde will receive a free copy of Tamsin Embleton’s Touring and Mental Health: the Music Industry Manual in their dressing room. Covering topics including: emotional intelligence, depression, trauma, crisis management, anger, conflict, stress, addiction, eating disorders, anxiety, group dynamics, mindset, exercise, physical health, optimal performance, diversity and inclusion, romantic relationships, nutrition, sleep science, breathwork, meditation, mental capacity, psychological safety and post-tour recovery, the book is written by performing arts medicine professionals to provide robust clinical advice, cutting edge research, practical strategies and resources.

In addition, artists will be invited to book in with the Roadie Medic Clinic, where they can meet with performing arts medical doctor Dr Arun Castro or physiotherapist Adam Lawrenson free of charge. The Roadie Medic Clinic offers drop-in sessions providing practical advice around tour health, covering topics such as: hearing health, vocal health, musculoskeletal health, tiredness, jetlag/travel fatigue, injuries, gut health, performance anxiety and mental health crises.

Roskilde programme director Anders Wahrén says, “As a festival with so much focus on bringing new talent into the spotlight, we think it is of utmost importance to support these artists in as many ways as we can. This new collaboration with MITC Soundcheck is a step in that direction, as we offer sessions with international specialists to all acts performing in the first days of our festival.”

MITC founder Tamsin Embleton comments, “We are delighted to pair with Roskilde this year to roll out MITC Soundcheck. We know from research and many accounts in the press that artists can be pushed past the natural limits of their minds, brains and bodies when touring is intensive. This partnership enables us to prepare emerging artists for what may be to come – helping to build self-awareness through psychoeducation and on-site support, alongside practical, relevant skills they can implement as their career develops.”

And Dr Arun Castro adds, “The MITC Soundcheck programme with Roadie Medic at Roskilde looks to be a game changer in terms of how we care for artists on the road. As medical director, I’m delighted to be contributing to this year’s programme which sets a blueprint for levelling up backstage care for creatives. Just as guitarists have guitar techs and vocalists have vocal coaches, think of MITC Soundcheck as a holistic multi-disciplinary collective supporting artists to develop mind and body skills for life in live music.”

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The Music Industry Therapist Collective (MITC), a group of psychotherapists with a background in the live music industry, is seeking funding for a best practice guide tackling mental health issues in the business.

The group is aiming to raise £21,774 over the next 55 days to create an “in-depth, clinically sound practical manual to support and guide all those who struggle with mental health on tour.”

The 300-page Touring and Mental Health Manual will offer guidance on how to handle psychological difficulties that arise from touring, such as loneliness; drug-induced psychosis; performance anxiety; addiction; stress and burn-out; trauma; and post-tour depression.

Agent-turned-psychotherapist Tamsin Embleton, who founded MITC, recently told IQ that the “competitive, turbulent and stressful” nature of touring life, as well as “long working hours, poor boundaries between social and work life, and easy access to drink and drugs” can often make those in the entertainment industry susceptible to mental health-related issues.

“This is a vital and most welcomed resource for our industry and touring community”

“This is a vital and most welcomed resource for our industry and touring community,” comments Eric Mtungwazi, managing director of mental health charity Music Support.

“Understanding how to look after your mental health and wellbeing, and knowing how to pre-empt and respond to some of the unique challenges on the journey, is a critical to thriving and working sustainably in the music industry.”

Nile Rodgers, who will be crowned Artists’ Artist at the Artist and Manager Awards in November, comments that “being away from home and loved ones can be incredibly hard work mentally” while in the fast-paced touring environment.

“Having what is effectively a mental health wellness manual to keep yourself in check is a wonderful initiative,” says Rodgers.

Donations to the Touring and Mental Health Manual can be made here. Rewards including digital and physical copies of the manual, mental health training and a logo on the sponsors’ page of the guide are available for those who donate.

Any funds raised over the target amount will go towards creating a non-crisis mental health fund, offering medium- and long-term therapeutic support to those in need.

Read more about how the music business is fighting mental illness here:

A High Cost: How the biz is fighting back against mental illness

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