BAPAM reports almost 400% increase in mental health cases since pandemic

A new report by the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), the largest provider of clinical services to the UK’s performing arts sector, has shown a 396% surge in mental health consultations with the organisation since 2019.

The health charity, which marks its 40th anniversary in 2024, has reported an increase in the number of performers seeking help for health problems since 2019, with patient numbers quadrupling in the last decade and the number of clinical consultations delivered by BAPAM increasing by 86%.

BAPAM CEO Claire Cordeaux said: ‘The past five years have been destabilising and challenging for performers and gig economy professionals, with pressures heightened by the continued cost of living and housing crises. As a result, BAPAM has seen a surge in demand for our clinical services, particularly in mental health. We know this situation can be improved and that, by working together with industry, we can foster a better culture of wellbeing within the performing arts to reduce high levels of poor health and enable performers to thrive.’

While musculoskeletal injuries accounted for over 40% of all medical consultations delivered by BAPAM in 2023, mental health was a close second, accounting for 32% of consultations. As well as clinical assessments, BAPAM’s network of psychotherapists and psychologists delivered more than 7,200 psychotherapy sessions last year to performers funded under its Equity and Dance Professionals Fund schemes and its partnership with Music Minds Matter.

Percussionist and BAPAM patron Dame Evelyn Glennie CH OBE said: ‘It’s absolutely crucial for performers to be able to protect and maintain our health; a simple injury or an undiagnosed condition can put a hard stop on our careers, reshape our futures and threaten our livelihoods.’

BAPAM provides free care for performers and industry professionals from more than 300 specialists in a range of disciplines. The charity is set to co-chair the annual PAMA symposium in London this July, bringing the global academic community together to share research and best practice in performing arts medicine.