The Music Industry Therapist Collective has launched Pay It Forward, an industry-funded initiative offering free mental health support, workshops and guidance to 150 small and mid-scale tours over the next three years. The program addresses a gap in access to specialist support for artists and crews working on the road.
Touring can involve long days, frequent travel, irregular sleep, time away from home and pressure to perform repeatedly. Tamsin Embleton, the collective’s founder and a psychotherapist specializing in the music industry, says artists and crews also face challenges ranging from performance pressure to difficult group dynamics. Touring mental health fund
Embleton recommends preparing for disruptions before a tour begins. Teams can discuss possible problems, such as faulty in-ear monitors or changes to set length, and agree on backup plans. When a problem occurs, she advises pausing to recognize an emotional reaction, focusing on what can be influenced and deciding on the next step. A team debrief can then help identify what worked and what could change.
She also recommends allowing time to process disappointment or disagreement before responding. When a conversation is needed, her guidance is to listen closely, speak privately and address what happened without assuming another person’s intentions.
