A glimpse into the world of Tonic Music’s Mental Health Programmes.
- 19 hours ago
- 4 min read
In this week’s blog I wanted to draw your attention to the work that Tonic Music have been doing.
If you are reading this then I assume you are already aware of the groups, therapy and educational resources available, but I felt it was important to highlight some of the feedback around the therapy group in particular. Like all charities, Tonic Music has to compile a report to the funding people that enable and fund the work. Over the past five years this has increased considerably and thankfully has received a growing amount of praise and positive feedback.
The outcomes highlighted in Tonic Music’s 2025 report demonstrated not only the scale of mental health challenges within music communities, but also the meaningful impact the tailored interventions can have on wellbeing, connection, and recovery.
One of the charity’s flagship initiatives, Never Mind The Stigma, was created to support music fans and musicians through peer groups and workshops centred around shared musical experiences. The programme includes Album Clubs, Record Reflection groups, and workshops such as Gig Anxiety and Music for Mental Health. These album clubs provided an informal meet up where people could gently explore the psychological impact of their favourite music without the pressure of a deep emotional dive. I had the privilege of running some of these initially and I was always struck by the power of a shared, reflective psychological encounter when bonding over music listening experiences. The gig anxiety workshops also provided participants with practical coping tools while creating safe spaces for discussion and emotional expression.
We all know that the need for this support (and all the other Tonic Music resources) is clear. It was no surprise that the participant data revealed that 56% scored above the clinical threshold for anxiety and 71% above the threshold for depression. In addition, 30% reported past or current self-harm, while 20% disclosed active suicidal ideation. These figures highlight how deeply mental health struggles are embedded within music communities that are often overlooked by mainstream support services. Despite these challenges, the outcomes reported by participants of Never Mind The Stigma, showed encouraging results. In general, the participants consistently reported high levels of satisfaction with the accessibility of sessions, facilitator support, and the relevance of music-based approaches to their wellbeing journeys.
The Tonic Rider programme was also shown to have made a positive and important impact on working musicians and music industry professionals. Since launching in 2021, the programme has expanded significantly, offering therapy sessions, peer support groups, workshops, and accredited training courses specifically tailored to the pressures of working in music. The data surrounding these professional musicians is especially powerful. Within the Tonic Rider programme, 66% scored above the clinical threshold for anxiety and 73% above the threshold for depression. Furthermore, 32% reported self-harm, 26% active suicidal ideation, and 18% previous suicide attempts.
These outcomes reinforce long-standing concerns about the emotional toll of the music industry. Financial instability, touring pressures, burnout, identity struggles, and the collapse of grassroots venues all contribute to worsening mental health conditions. Tonic Music’s response has been to build community-led support structures that acknowledge the realities of life in music rather than applying generic mental health interventions.
I personally feel that a particularly important outcome from the Tonic Rider programme has been the diversity of support available. Participants can now access peer groups for women, parents and carers, neurodivergences, LGBTQ+ , venue operators, songwriters, and individuals experiencing performance anxiety. Additionally, workshops addressing emotional resilience, substance use awareness, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) provide practical skills that participants can carry into both professional and personal life.
The charity’s bespoke Agents & Managers project has also shown measurable improvements in participant wellbeing. The programme focuses on music agents and managers, a demographic often excluded from wider conversations about mental health in the music industry. Pre- and post-intervention assessments showed participants moving from “moderate psychological distress” into the “mild psychological distress” category after receiving Tonic’s support. One further important aspect of this feedback (moving away from the dry generalisations) was the personal case studies and testimonial.
These case studies within the report revealed deeply personal transformations. For example, one participant struggling with overwhelming anxiety and feelings of shame reported becoming more authentic in personal relationships and more connected socially after therapy. These stories demonstrate how tailored mental health support can restore confidence, identity, and most of all connection within the community.
In the report, young people entering the music industry were another key focus. Through the Tonic Futures project, Tonic Music supports 18–25-year-olds studying or working in music. The programme addresses issues including performance anxiety, emotional resilience, and creative pressure.
The outcomes here again emphasised the importance of early intervention. One young participant experiencing panic attacks, creative blocks, and caring responsibilities found validation and emotional support through peer groups, eventually engaging in further therapy support.
Beyond structured programmes, Tonic Music’s outreach work has also become a visible presence at festivals, tours, grassroots venues, merch markets and record stores. During the reporting period alone, the organisation delivered 188 mental health lounges and information stands at gigs and festivals nationwide. These spaces provide calm, non-clinical environments where artists, fans, and staff can access immediate emotional support.
Ultimately, the outcomes and goals of Tonic Music’s work extend far beyond individual therapy sessions or workshops. The organisation is helping to reshape the culture of mental health within music itself, replacing stigma with openness, isolation with community, and crisis with prevention.
By embedding support directly into music spaces and recognising the emotional realities of those who live and work within them, Tonic Music is proving that music can be more than entertainment; it can be a pathway toward healing, connection, and hope. This ray of light continues to shine whilst the general musician’s mental health charity sector is in somewhat dismay.
Check out all our Courses, Groups and Workshops open for registration for working musicians and those working within the music.
Check out all our Clubs and Workshops open for registration for music fans.
Adam Ficek hosts 'Tonic Music' a monthly show on Totally Wired Radio. Each show features Adam spinning the finest in funk, soul, beat, rock, latin, jazz, and everything in between — alongside insightful conversations with guests exploring where music meets mental health.
You can listen again to any of the previous shows via Tonic Music's Mixcloud page and also on our YouTube channel.
