Since 2020, MusiCares has annually launched the Wellness in Music (WIM) survey, which examines over 100 quantitative and qualitative indicators on the financial, physical and mental well-being of music professionals. Capturing data from respondents in every music profession and genre across the United States, the WIM survey informs a deeper understanding of the issues affecting the music community — and in turn, it's instrumental in helping MusiCares support music people.

In its fifth year, the survey gathered a record number of responses, with nearly 3,200 participants. Examining trends across years and emerging issues, the 2025 findings centered on mental health, health care access and financial wellness. Below, learn more about this year's WIM survey results, and how MusiCares will continue to improve upon each of them across its programming.

Suicide Continues To Be A Heartbreaking Challenge In Our Community

In recent years, our industry has made investments to improve mental health among the music community. Our data highlights positive progress, including increased uptake of therapy. Similar focus and investments are needed to address the structural and underlying issues that exacerbate mental health issues in music — especially because suicide and suicidal ideation remains prevalent.  

In 2025, 11.4 percent of WIM survey respondents reported suicidal ideation in the last year, representing an increase from 8 percent in our 2024 survey and more than double the U.S. general population. 15.4 percent of respondents lost a music industry colleague to suicide in the last year. 

While suicidal ideation across the industry is alarming and highly concerning, specific groups are particularly vulnerable. Among respondents who experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault, suicidal ideation was 30 percent. 

This is especially concerning as 20 percent of survey respondents knew a colleague who had been sexually harassed, and nearly 10 percent knew a colleague who had been sexually assaulted in the last year. 21.7 percent of those who tour frequently and 20.3 percent of those who lost a colleague to suicide also had suicidal thoughts. The data underscores the importance of both comprehensive and targeted approaches, particularly for the most vulnerable to suicidal ideation.

In addition to being the largest provider of mental health support to the music industry, MusiCares has partnered with the Jed Foundation to provide curated training materials and resources on suicide awareness and prevention for music people. There is more we can collectively do.

Promoting 988 across the music community is one clear opportunity. It offers the largest crisis support network nationwide, backed by states and the federal government. Making this number more visible can help ensure people have access to care when they need it most.

Likewise, investing in reducing sexual harassment and assault is integral to strengthening mental health, especially for women. Safe Tour is an excellent resource for training and guidance in this area. MusiCares also provides financial assistance, including access to therapy and medical care, for those who have experienced sexual violence or harassment. 

Increasing access to mental health on tour is essential. Amber Health is the leader in providing evidence and clinically based mental health care on tour. MusiCares is proud to partner with Amber Health on formative research to demonstrate the impact of having mental health services on tour.  

Sustaining Our Industry Depends On Access To Health Care

85 percent of survey respondents have health insurance, representing a slight decrease from 2024 and about 7-8 percent lower than coverage among the U.S. general population. Nearly half of respondents have their insurance through federal programs or the Affordable Care Act, making them particularly vulnerable to potential changes in tax credits, subsidies and health care legislation.

Additionally, essential preventive health care access is considerably lower among music professionals. Data from the survey shows that life-saving cancer screenings — including mammograms, colonoscopies, cervical cancer screenings, and prostate cancer screenings — are considerably lower among music professionals than the U.S. general population.

In the last year, MusiCares provided over 5,300 free preventive health care services for music professionals, in addition to millions of dollars to support treatment costs. We will continue to grow access to preventive health care, while supporting access to health insurance. 

Music Health Alliance is the leader in helping music professionals obtain health insurance and advocating on their behalf to reduce medical debt. MusiCares works in close coordination with Music Health Alliance to ensure comprehensive health care for our clients.

35 percent of survey respondents have a chronic disease, and nearly half of those with a chronic condition report that it impedes their ability to work in this industry. Extensive evidence shows how chronic conditions can heighten risks of depression and anxiety. Our industry has already demonstrated a powerful commitment to mental health, building that same momentum around overall health care will be just as transformative.

Music People Need Financial Safety Nets

78 percent of our survey respondents make less than $100,000, and overwhelmingly report they cannot cover their expenses through music work alone. While financial insecurity in music is not news, we are increasingly alarmed by the proportion of individuals who struggle to cover basic necessities, like housing and food costs. In the last year, MusiCares provided more than $3 million just in assistance to help with the most basic and essential living needs among our community, like rent and utilities.

Financial insecurity takes a major toll on mental health. 40 percent of respondents attribute their anxiety to their finances and 32 percent attribute their depression to finances. Our experience shows that providing a financial safety net, along with financial management advisory services and education, makes a difference in mental health. At MusiCares, we see every day the impact that basic financial assistance makes in the overall well-being of our community.