Saving The Musicians That Save Us: #IDoItToo Encourages Them To Seek Help

At a time when people across the globe are turning to music for solace and the well-being of their mental health, one wonders whether the artists performing this art form are able to do the same for themselves.

Shark & Ink, in partnership with Trijog, recognised the need to bring to light the lack of conversation around the mental health of those involved in the music industry. This is why they began the #IDoItToo campaign. The initiative was put into play with the idea of creating a safe space for musicians, managers, promoters or anyone from the industry to speak up about their mental health. “We all tackle our problems in different ways. We hope to use the power of relatability to encourage open conversations about mental health. The hashtag #IDoItToo was created in an effort to promote acceptance of oneself and others around them,” says the team behind it. The focus was placed on support and involvement from the rest of the music fraternity.

Launched on the eve of World Music Day (21 June) and functional for a week, #IDoItToo encouraged people of the industry to share the campaign creative on their Instagram feed/stories with their experience with mental health and well-being. If there is anything that has been understood through years of conversation, dynamism and persuasion, it is that speaking up and constructing a space for others to do so as well can do wonders. Sharing how they deal with stress, anxiety, depression, and negative thoughts has the ability to influence someone treading a similar path. However, this was not the only objective of the campaign. The team says, “‘#IDoItToo’ covers our other objective, breaking any stigma on this subject and allowing people to know that it’s normal to feel the way they do, as also that it is okay to ask for help.”

Feeling like one belongs, and is not alone in the lows of life is nothing but valuable, especially at a time when we are forced to seclude ourselves from the aspects of touch and closeness.

Trijog, a space for counselling and holistic mindcare, undertook the responsibility of providing therapy to those who reached out for help. They offered a 20 per cent discount to individuals that took part in this campaign, therefore, enabling and encouraging others to do so as well. Placing emphasis on listening closely, Trijog acknowledged the need for such a campaign and provided help to those who actively reached out. Their aim included the normalisation of therapy and spreading awareness of the fact that it is nothing but a conversation where one hears and builds their thoughts.

“Benefitting is very subjective. We hope to have impacted a lot more people than just those who participated in this,” says the #IDoItToo team. The campaign saw participation from around 50 artists and 30 other music industry professionals. This proves to mark a beginning in what must be spoken of on a daily basis, to prevent anyone from the industry to live anything lesser than their best life. The number of streams, record sales, and views are a big part of their life, but something bigger decides their future. #IDoItToo was created to remind them of that.

For the people who make us smile, allow us to lose ourselves in art, encourage us to introspect and most importantly, push us to share the love we receive, it is only justified that they be given a platform, a voice and a solution to thoughts that may plague them. It would be unfair to deprive them of the feeling their music provides others.

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