A 24/7 helpline offering tailored support will be created in light of the death of Chester Bennington
A campaign to offer tailored mental health support for musicians has been launched following the death of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington.
The music world reacted with sadness last week following the news that the 41-year-old singer had taken his own life.
Charity Help Musicians UK has announced plans for the world's first dedicated 24/7 mental health service for people working in music – entitled Music Minds Matter.
A sum of £100,000 has been committed to setting up a helpline that will combine listening, advice and signposting with clinical, medical, therapeutic and welfare support for those who need it.
Richard Robinson, chief executive of Help Musicians, said the situation is urgent: “For generations and generations, the music industry has lost some of its brightest talent and future stars due to the scourge of mental health and related issues. The situation is now urgent and we can no longer allow this to continue. We have decided to make this landmark investment as a precursor to a dedicated service – but we cannot undertake this work in isolation. We need the music industry to step up, arm in arm with Help Musicians, and match our support pound for pound, so we are proud to launch the Music Minds Matter campaign.”
The initial investment will allow the initiative to be launched later this year and run for 12 months, however the charity hopes to allow the service to be extended and operate across the world.
Musicians have already backed the campaign, including Matthew Leone, who toured with Linkin Park with his band Madina Lake.
He said: "I’ve had the great fortune of spending time with Chester on Linkin Park’s Projekt Revolution tour. He was a rare breed of immeasurable talent, and equal humility. He, along with the rest of the band, are among the kindest, sweetest and most embracing artists, particularly when considering the enormity of their success, that we’ve worked with. If a comprehensive, full-service mental health resource like Music Minds Matter had existed, perhaps Chester, his family and the world could have been spared of this tragic loss.”
Music Minds Matters has set up a Virgin Giving page for people wishing to support the campaign.
