Mental Health Advice for Musicians - Richard Jupp

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, musician, songwriter, and ACM tutor Richard Jupp gives his thoughts on why it's important for musicians to take care of their mental health, and offers some tips for dealing with mental health issues.
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[@kenwah52]

Thank you Richard. Whether music, sports the arts, I think the spotlight actually has a way of sucking life from you in a very subtle, cruel way. Nice to see someone speak up about an issue, usually swept under the carpet.

[@ricardofranciszayas]

Excellent video. My music career was steady money up until I hit my 50s. The performance venues in the United States began shrinking in the early 2000s especially for grunt musicians working in Casinos. Bands in clubs were being replaced by DJs and iPods. It’s the natural ebb and flow of life. I relocated from Philadelphia/ Atlantic City to a city in North Carolina. My identity as “Musician” was completely ripped from my life. I had to do regular low paying jobs. All I was able to think about how I wasn’t even. a “.Has Been”. Truth be told, Even though I had made a decent living as a musician, and having enough skill to keep getting hired I considered myself to be a “Never Was.” I still deal with that feeling. I was fortunate enough to begin meditating and accepting Buddhist Psychology and outlook. My suffering attenuated to a bearable degree. I think I became attached to my identity as a Working Musician. Having been treated with depression for most of my life, the sudden separation from my work and the separation from the camaraderie of my musical tribe drove me to heavy suicidal ideation and planning suicide. It took awhile but I realized at some point that Everything is impermanent, even unfulfilled goals, memories of performing, the bliss of music, career ambition, disappointment, success, failure and the aging process all combine to create a fixed view. It’s better now. I still teach, compose and record. Music is addictive. I think my point is that aging musicians, who no longer perform face serious depression and possible suicide. Music is like breathing for a musician. But identifying with a label on ourselves, attaching to the past and indulging in thoughts of “Could have, Should have, if only I did or didn’t do something in the past and the desire for something to happen...all of these are very dangerous to the aging musician. In the words of Sidhattha Gotama, “All conditioned phenomena are subject to impermanence and decay.” It’s still a struggle to accept this truth. But one can follow a practice of mindfulness and meditation. Acceptance happens slowly. Thanks for your video.

[@sryburn4234]

I personally want to thank you for speaking on this topic.

[@marfie53]

Mr Jupp… I’ve been a quiet fan of yours for some time. I’ve been to umpteen Elbow shows in various continents and your skills and feel always brought an instant smile to my face. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on a topic few of us can articulate. Love your work mate.

[@Frekog]

Richard, thank you

[@DDMCPHEE]

Having met Rich back in 2019, I can say he's such a lovely bloke. Helped me get a drummer at the time and was extremely supportive of my then musical endeavours. Top top guy x

[@gifthorse9779]

Thanks! Sad to see so few view or likes. But it’s cyber not real life. I hope you make a big difference!

[@hatsmyth]

I take a lot of effort for my music. I am investing my money and time into it. I have around 30 to 40 songs yet to release. I am running out if money. I suck at marketing. I need help. Mentally and emotionally.

[@Feziboy]

erm

[@uapnewdiscoveryimages]

Boring