Mind dimension: DJs are finally opening up about mental health

Anyone who follows the DJs Complaining Twitter account will know that DJs aren’t usually on the receiving end of much sympathy. And in fairness, considering the obscene amounts of money many of them earn for jet-setting around the world and living the kind of life that would be beyond the wildest dreams of the rest of us, it’s understandable. But, a few recent revelations from high-profile figures in our industry have shown that it’s not always the bed of roses we might assume. Mental health issues will affect one in four of us, and DJs are not immune. In fact, they’re perhaps more susceptible to these problems than the rest of us, given the lifestyle of non-stop touring and partying.

According to Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at mental health charity Mind, many of the things that promote good mental health, like a good night’s sleep, a healthy, balanced diet and a strong social network are all things that can easily fall by the wayside for any touring DJ. Add to that irregular working hours, a lack of sunlight, increasingly rigorous touring schedules, not to mention the likelihood of a fair amount of alcohol and substance indulgence and DJs really are being exposed to a cluster of potentially dangerous factors.

And in fairness, it’s unsurprising that so many DJs lean on alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism – whether it’s a subconscious choice or not. When you spend most of your time in clubs or at afterparties, meeting a succession of strangers eager to piggyback on your supposedly glamorous lifestyle, it’s inevitable that the majority of people around you will be drinking or dabbling. Excess and indulgence are ingrained in club culture, and resisting can prove incredibly difficult. And even if you do start to see the encroaching signs of addiction and dependency, it’s not easy to take a disciplined stand and turn down free drinks. And breaking the cycle is much easier said than done when so much of your career is spent in clubs and in the company of people who revel in getting smashed. Sadly, the incredible highs are always likely to be followed by some kind of low.

But the one thing we can be thankful for is the recent spate of artists opening up about something that has for far too long been the elephant in the room in our industry. In 2015, ex-Magnetic Man Benga took to Twitter to reveal that he was suffering from mental health problems including schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. He was completely transparent about what had triggered his condition, referencing drugs and excessive touring in a series of tweets which exposed the reality of the lifestyle. “I don’t want sympathy but to raise awareness,” he said. “If I had help early the damage could have been controlled.” Just last month, Scuba opened up to Mixmag about his problems with alcohol, while Rustie cancelled a bunch of tour dates, again citing mental health and drug addiction problems on Twitter.

The support all three received from peers and fans alike was overwhelming, fuelling a conversation we all really needed to have. While DJs and artists have probably always suffered from these issues, hearing them opening up about it in a mature way, rather than burning out entirely, is new.

Dance music creates a social platform of enormous influence, so the fact that DJs are talking about their issues can only be a good thing for all of us, and if more people can identify problems with themselves or others, there is more chance of better understanding the triggers and delivering successful treatment. With the demands of DJing unlikely to change, it’s important for everyone that mental health stays firmly in the spotlight.

Find out more about the work of mental health charity Mind