MusiCares Launches Wellness In Music 2025 Survey 

MusiCares has opened up its annual Wellness In Music Survey, an annual check-in that the nonprofit organization utilizes in order to “listen more deeply, respond more effectively, and create programs that meet the real-world needs of music professionals today.” 

The fifth annual survey is live now and open until June 13, available in both English and Spanish. Topics covered in the survey include mental health, financial wellness, addiction, insurance, and diversity and inclusion. The survey is voluntary and all responses are strictly confidential.

This week’s announcement from MusiCares notes that when it comes to working in music, the stakes feel higher than ever with hardships including hurricanes across the Southeast and wildfires in Los Angeles that have devastated music communities the past year as “countless professionals — from session players and tour crews to venue staff and engineers — are still working to recover financially, mentally, and physically.”

And that’s not to mention the everyday challenges of a life in music that can include a lack of benefits and paid leave, as well as the mental toll of creative burnout. The announcement adds, “Awareness is growing. But turning that awareness into action takes more than headlines — it takes data. That’s why this survey matters.”

Last year nearly 2,800 music professionals took part in the survey. The data revealed that 69% of participants couldn’t comfortably cover expenses through music work alone and 53% said their income hadn’t stabilized post-pandemic. Other findings included that “8.3% had serious thoughts of suicide — compared to 5% nationally. Of those, 15.1% made a plan and 3.5% attempted — far above national rates.” And 87% of participants had health insurance, but only 54% had dental. A majority of the participants skipped health screenings including 70% of those 45+ missing colonoscopy screenings, 62% of women 24+ missing cervical cancer screenings and 60% of those under 45 skipping vision screenings.

In response to the survey, MusiCares “expanded telehealth support for addiction recovery, introduced financial coaching, covered childcare costs, and increased access to preventive care services, including mammograms and cervical screenings.” 

To access the survey in English, click here.

To access the survey in Spanish, click here. 

MusiCares was founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S.-based, independent 501(c)(3) charity to provide a safety net of health and welfare services to the music community in the areas of mental health and addiction recovery services, health services and human services. Visit https://www.musicares.org/ for more information and to get support.