# Katie Melua opens up about acute psychotic breakdown
Katie Melua, the renowned singer-songwriter, recently shared her experience of suffering an acute psychotic breakdown earlier in her career. She attributed this breakdown to the immense pressures of the music industry and constant touring. Melua revealed these details during an appearance on the Origins With Cush Jumbo podcast, where she discussed the toll that the demanding lifestyle of a musician took on her mental health.
## The impact of the music industry on mental health
During the podcast, Melua highlighted the intense nature of her work, which involved constant travel, recording, and touring. She emphasized the challenges of maintaining a hectic schedule while also dealing with the expectations of looking good, creating new music, and performing on stage. The singer also acknowledged the role of the music industry’s changing landscape, with the shift to streaming and the impact of the 2008 financial crash affecting her career trajectory.
## Road to recovery and self-care practices
Following her acute psychotic breakdown, Melua took a necessary break from her career and was hospitalized for six weeks. She underwent treatment, including medication and therapy, to address her mental health issues. Melua credited her family, medical team, and self-awareness for helping her navigate through this challenging period. She emphasized the importance of self-care practices such as adequate sleep, hydration, and seeking support through talking and hugging.
## Advocating for mental health awareness in the music industry
Melua’s candid discussion about her mental health struggles sheds light on the often overlooked challenges faced by musicians in the industry. Her story adds to a growing conversation around mental health in the music world, with other artists like Lewis Capaldi, Sam Fender, and Shawn Mendes also speaking out about their own struggles. By sharing her journey to recovery and emphasizing the need for self-care and support, Melua advocates for greater awareness and support for mental health issues in the music industry.
En octubre, se lanzó una nueva petición que busca establecer una ley para proteger el bienestar mental de los artistas en la industria musical, tras la trágica muerte de Liam Payne a los 31 años. La petición destaca la importancia de abordar la ansiedad y la salud mental en este ámbito.
Un llamado a la protección de la salud mental de los músicos
A principios de este año, el baterista de Babyshambles y psicoterapeuta Adam Ficek compartió un informe sobre la música y la salud mental, señalando que los músicos suelen quedar desamparados por los sistemas de apoyo estructurados. Esta falta de apoyo formal ha sido un tema recurrente en la industria musical.
En diciembre de 2023, la organización benéfica Help Musicians informó sobre un aumento significativo en el uso de sus servicios de salud mental en los últimos dos años. Este incremento refleja la creciente necesidad de apoyo y recursos para los músicos que enfrentan desafíos en su bienestar emocional.
La industria musical continúa enfrentando desafíos en materia de salud mental, y la importancia de brindar apoyo y recursos adecuados a los artistas se vuelve cada vez más evidente. Iniciativas como la petición para establecer una ley de protección del bienestar mental son fundamentales para abordar esta problemática y garantizar un ambiente más saludable para todos los involucrados en la música.