Welcome to the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” supposedly filled with joy, parties, seasonal events, Christmas cheer and smiles for all. Well, not necessarily for everyone. Often referred to as the “Hidden Disease,” severe depression is a serious health risk — in fact, the National Institute of Mental Health estimated that 21 million persons — about 8.3% of all adults in the U.S. — had at least one major depression episode in 2021. Symptoms of depression are not so outwardly visible, and persons with severe depression can be at an increased risk of suicide.
The causes are many and depression is greater around the holidays, stemming by factors ranging from the anxiety of family gatherings to winter days’ shorter light cycles. For those in live audio, the season brings on increased workloads, with many of us separated from our loved ones, whether touring or doing local gigs on holidays, with long hours often accompanied by inclement weather. And any of these can exasperate depression.
Outward symptoms are many, including moodiness, loss of interest in activities, feelings of frustration and hopelessness, and difficulties in sleep, decision-making and concentration — sometimes accompanied by substance abuse.
One excellent resource — focused on our industry— is Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual (www.touringmanual.com), a 624-page volume edited by Tamsin Embleton and filled with solid advice and anecdotes from more than 80 artists and touring pros, including Marty Hom, Jim Digby, Dale “Opie” Skjerseth, Dom Morley and more.
This year, keep an eye out for your crew and reach out to help. Let’s make this a safe holiday season for everyone.
