GFTU BGCM Minutes 2017

and partners. Working antisocial hours. I do a lot of driving, often very late at

night and on my own, sometimes getting home at about 4 a.m. and then getting

up to teach at 8 a.m. which is not particularly good for your wellbeing.

Teaching in schools where you do not see another adult all day with very short

breaks so that you can cram in the students to the very short school day.

Doing solo gigs and just travelling alone. Waiting for money, needing cheques

to clear, being paid late, meaning you cannot pay the rent or pay the bills. We

have to negotiate all our own gigs fees, dealing with difficult agents, clients and

particularly difficult musicians. Being away from home touring. Live out of a

suitcase. None of these things are particularly conducive to a balanced healthy

lifestyle.

Then there are more creative issues for performers with poor mental health.

Having to perform when you are unwell, because you do not get sick pay for

gigs. I have often felt like I am putting on a mask to go out to work, which I am

sure some of you can relate to, but having to be at a party and fronting a band

is really tough. Not performing to your best, because you do not feel well. This

is a real curse for any perfectionist, but it can also affect getting future work.

The motion mentions Amy Winehouse who died from alcohol abuse. Alcohol is

almost always in the workplace for musicians – pubs, clubs, dressing rooms. It

is very easy to fall into self-medicating if you are not at your best. I think

addiction is the last stigma in mental health. The media’s perception and

portrayal of Amy Winehouse as a druggy, wino musician was disgraceful. She

was bullied and pursued by the press who were waiting for her to fall apart.

She had written an amazing album with Back to Black. Can you imagine the

creative pressure to continue making music at the highest level, not to mention

the financial pressure from management and record labels?

Having a mental health issue as a self-employed person is difficult. There is no

sick pay and the Tories benefit reforms change DLA to PIP and the new PIP

assessments discriminate against mental health issues. Access to help is

difficult and only one form of talking therapy is offered in my area which is CBT

and once you have had your ten sessions, that is it. You have to have money

to get proper mental health treatment like further therapy or more appropriate

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