British singer-songwriter James Arthur has said that more support should be given to music artists dealing with mental health problems and singers, DJs and musicians should talk more openly about their concerns
The 30-year-old former “The X Factor” winner, who has previously spoken about his battle with anxiety, said awareness of the pressures facing performers has increased.
Arthur, an ambassador for British mental health charity SANE, told Reuters in an interview: “Mental health is of major importance in the music industry I think and maybe there should be more help.”
“It’s very important that people speak out and aren’t condemned for canceling concerts,” he said.
The death of 28-year-old Swedish DJ Avicii in April shocked the music industry. His family said the performer, whose real name was Tim Bergling, had struggled with life and “could not go on any longer.”
“It’s tough ... you don’t have time to really embrace a lot of stuff, and especially in the DJ world. It’s like sometimes they do two New Year shows, they have to fly from Australia to New York in the same night ... I mean I struggle with three gigs in a row,” said Arthur.
Arthur, known for ballads like “Say You Won’t Let Go” and “Naked”, was catapulted into the spotlight when he won the 2012 edition of British talent show “The X Factor” and topped the charts with single “Impossible”.
