“There’s still a way to go”: The Charity tackling mental health through the power of music

Tailored mental health support backed by industry legends

Friendly faces with a passion for music. (Strong Island Media)

In an age where chaos continues to unfold in the world around us, it comes as no surprise that one in four adults will experience a mental health problem each year.

With the number of people accessing mental health services continuing to rise in the past decade, Tonic Music for Mental Health serves as a lifeline for music fans and artists throughout the nation.

Founded in Portsmouth in 2012 by Steph Langan, following the loss of her friend to mental health struggles, the organisation now boasts a range of industry names backing their cause, from The Libertines’ Carl Barât to Dub Pistols’ Barry Ashworth.

Jeordie Shenton, Programmes Lead at Tonic Music, said: “Every participant who registers onto a programme has a one-to-one consultation appointment where they meet with a member of staff to identify additional needs and triggers to ensure their participation is as great as it can be.”

Tonic Music’s programmes are tailored to support the needs of each person - from courses designed for those in the music industry, to online workshops tailored to music fans. Their recent project, ‘Tonic Futures’, provides services to young people aged between 18 and 25.

The team believes that music is a tool that allows for people to connect to their emotions in a number of ways. Jeordie explained: “Kids that might be seven or eight years old might go through some bad experiences, however, they might have a guitar, or they might sing, and they might use music as a way of coping.

“It shows that power of music where it's a positive thing.”

Yet, the team is keen to highlight the ways in which our favourite artists fall victim to the industry’s impact on mental health: “They face negative criticism, subcultural pressures, and financial pressures.

“Many also gravitated to the career because it's trauma-informed, yet they're performing songs about their own trauma and must relive that trauma again, and again, and again. We tend to see that a lot with the programmes we run.” said Jeordie.

Despite paving the way for tailored mental health support for anyone passionate about music, Tonic Music recognises that there is more to be done.

“Everyone has mental health, regardless of if its good or poor, so there's still a way to go,” said Jeordie. “If you’re a fan of music or a musician yourself, look at the mental health support Tonic Music provides - we have something for everyone.”