Let’s be honest, the world is on it’s arse right now.

So far this year we’ve had bush fires, Brexit, a global pandemic, months in lockdown and the well overdue Black Lives Matter international human rights movement… We’re literally writing history right now and it’s only June.

For many 2020 will be a complete write off, and not just in the form of festivals and concerts being cancelled. Thousands have lost jobs, work, livelihoods and careers. Times will be tough for a lot of people, including those in the music industry.

This week Help Musicians UK agreed to buddy up with The Road To Rock to help spread the word about the help and services they provide for musicians in tough times or crisis. Their work is so relevant to the subjects covered in the podcast and what they offer may benefit some of you that listen.

Find more about what they do and get in contact by visiting https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/

If you’re not a musician but feel you need help or someone to talk to, the following support is available to you –

For urgent medical attention, your options are Accident & Emergency (A&E) and Emergency GP appointments. Your GP is there to help with psychological issues and can help you access the various forms of treatment that can be available.

For urgent medical advice you can call the NHS 111 (England) or NHS Direct (Wales).

There is still an entirely unjustified stigma attached to mental illness in some people’s eyes.  This should never put you off seeking help if you feel it is needed.  Any medical adviser will respond sympathetically and confidentially.

Mind the national mental health charity, provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. The website contains information on a range of topics including types of mental health problem

• where to get help
• medication and alternative treatments
• advocacy
• legal rights

Mind also have a telephone helpline on 0300 123 3393.

The Mental health Foundation are a UK charity that work to aid those who live with mental health and learning disabilities. They are a leading advocate for change in this area and their evidence-based approach helps them to recognise the key issues affecting the nation around mental health and wellbeing.

Samaritans are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to listen to anything that is upsetting you, including intrusive thoughts and difficult thoughts of suicide and self-harm. Their national freephone number is 116 123, or you can email [email protected]
Samaritans also offer a Welsh Language Line on 0300 123 3011 (from 7pm–11pm only, seven days a week).

SANEline offers emotional support and information from 6pm–11pm, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0300 304 7000.

CALM – If you’re a man experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They’re open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58, and they also have a webchat service if you’re not comfortable talking on the phone.

Nightline – If you are a student, you can look at the Nightline website to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.

Switchboard, the LGBT+ helpline. If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, Switchboard is available from 10am–11pm, 365 days a year, to listen to any problems you’re having. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+. Their national number is 0300 330 0630, or you can email [email protected]

C.A.L.L. – If you live in Wales, you can contact the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) for a confidential listening and support service. Their number is 0800 123 737 or you can text ‘help’ to 81066.