If you work in the UK music industry and are experiencing challenges with mental health, substance use, or addiction, you are not alone. Music Support is here for you.
Our services are delivered by in-house psychotherapists and skilled support staff with more than 30 years’ combined experience in the music industry.
Our Stepped Care Model
We offer a stepped care model, based on NHS principles, with four levels of complementary support — from preventative care to complex needs:
- Preventative & Early Intervention
- Mild to Moderate Presentations
- Moderate to Severe Needs
- Severe to Complex Needs
👉 If you are a family member, friend, or colleague of someone working in the music industry who is impacted by mental health and/or addiction, please visit our Family and Friends page for tailored support.
Counselling Services
50-minute online 1:1 sessions
- Volunteer Counselling
Delivered by volunteer counsellors with either direct music industry experience or specialist training. All are registered with the BACP and/or UKCP. - Internal Counselling
Provided by Music Support’s in-house team of fully qualified, BACP-registered therapists. With backgrounds in music, they offer an empathetic and informed approach. - Typically offered for 12 sessions.
📞 To arrange an assessment with one of our in-house counsellors, call our helpline or email helpline@musicsupport.org
Support Sessions & Brief Interventions
- Weekly 30-minute 1:1 online session with a BACP-qualified counsellor
- Typically offered for 6 to 12 sessions
External Referrals & Case Management
We provide tailored referrals to trusted clinicians, detox units, and residential treatment centres with first-hand knowledge of the music and live entertainment industry. This ensures care that is both clinically robust and sector specific.
📞 To arrange an assessment with one of our in-house counsellors, call our helpline or email helpline@musicsupport.org
Helpline
Our freephone helpline is a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space run by in-house counsellors with lived and industry experience.
- Available Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Call anytime to book a 24/7 call back
- If we miss your call, leave a message — we aim to respond within 24 hours (or the next working day if after 5pm).
⚠️ For urgent or emergency care, please contact NHS 111 (24/7) or go directly to your local A&E.
Signposting, Guidance & Advocacy
We can help connect you to a range of support networks and mutual aid organisations. Where appropriate, we can also liaise with GPs and community services on your behalf.
Assistance with Funding for Detox and Addiction Rehabilitation
We are committed to supporting beneficiaries in securing funding for treatments such as detox and residential rehabilitation, particularly when no statutory options are available and they lack the financial means. This assistance is provided in line with a GP’s recommendation and is subject to individual means-testing.
FURTHER HELP AND SUPPORT
Mental Health Related
- If you need help, you should contact your GP or call:
NHS 111 (England)
NHS Direct (Wales) on 0845 46 47
NHS 24 (Scotland) on 111 or your relevant HSC organisation (Northern Ireland).
- CALM: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm – midnight, 365 days a year)
- Every Mind Matters
- Mind’s Mental Health A-Z – for urgent support please click here
- Music Minds Matter: 0808 802 8008 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
- Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
- Shout: Text MUSIC to 85258 (24 hours, 7 days a week) (find out more about the service here)
Drugs/Alcohol-Related
- Addaction Live Chat: (Monday – Friday: 10am-4pm, 6pm-9pm. Saturday: 11am – 4pm. Sunday: 11am – 4pm)
- Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 9177 650 (operating hours vary depending upon the area the caller is calling from). You can also email for help and advice here: help@aamail.org
- Frank: 0300 1236600 or Text 82111 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
- Narcotics Anonymous: 0300 999 1212 (10:00 – Midnight daily)
Read a short story of one mother who called Music Support’s
Helpline and the impact it has had on her family.