Speak up for a healthier music industry, thanks to MusiCares Wellness Survey
Help shape better support for artists and music professionals by taking the MusiCares 2025 Wellness in Music Survey.
What is MusiCares and their survey?
MusiCares is a US-based charity that supports the health and wellbeing of music professionals through financial funding, support resources, and tailored help. The charity has just launched its 2025 Wellness in Music Survey. Now in its fifth year, the survey is a vital tool for identifying the biggest challenges facing artists today- from mental health and addiction to financial insecurity and healthcare access.
By taking part, music professionals can help MusiCares tailor the support they offer to better meet musicians’ needs. After all, who better understands the demands and stresses of artist life than those living it every day.
Why the survey is important
The music industry doesn’t look like most traditional jobs, with many facing unpredictable income, no paid leave, creative burnout… the list could go on. MusiCares understands this affects all industry professionals, from touring crew and engineers to artists and managers, and wants everyone involved to weigh in on what they’re going through.
The goal? Get an accurate picture of wellbeing in the music industry in 2025. The survey includes sensitive but crucial topics like suicide, mental health struggles, substance use, financial stress, insurance coverage, and diversity and inclusion. With this information, MusiCares can launch new initiatives that actually reflect what music professionals need the most support with.
This year, the survey feels especially timely following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, which left many in the music community dealing with ongoing physical, financial, and mental impacts.
What MusiCares learned last year
Last year, nearly 2,800 participants answered MusiCares’ 2024 Survey. The results were eye-opening:
- Financial wellbeing: Over half (53%) reported unstable income that hadn’t recovered since the pandemic, with 65% doubting their future in the industry.
- Healthcare access: While 87% had health insurance, this was still 6% less than the US national average. Alarmingly, 62% of women aged 24 and older went without cervical cancer screenings.
- Mental health: 8.3% had seriously considered suicide, a rate higher than the 5% US national average (although MusiCares’ notes its small sample size may not fully represent industry sentiment).
- Substance use: 36% of respondents reported marijuana use in the last month, compared to 21.8% nationally in the US. This trend now mirrors cigarette use and MusiCares responded with targeted awareness and education efforts.
As a result of these findings, MusiCares introduced new support services including telehealth support for addiction recovery, financial coaching, childcare support, and health screenings.
How to get involved
If you’re a music professional aged 18 or older, your input matters. The survey is open from June 2 to June 13, 2025, in both English and Spanish.
By sharing your story, you’re helping to shape real solutions for yourself and others in the industry.
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