Taking care: guidance on looking after your mental health in a crisis.

April 3, 2020

‘Very few things are rigid and fixed in stone – take a cue from nature when going out on your daily walk – look closely at the emerging life all around. Take heart, that this too will pass and another season will emerge.’

 

In this series, ‘Taking Care’ PRS M-Magazine will be handing the reins over to mental health and wellness experts who will share their wisdom on looking after your mental wellness during strange and uncharted times such as these.

The first participant is Athena Pite. Athena is a welfare and development officer for the PRS Members’ Fund, a registered social worker and mental health first aider.

The PRS Members’ Fund provide support and advice to PRS for Music members and their families who are struggling financially, physically or emotionally and are in need of help.

‘Discordant notes, harmony, melody and cadence disrupted, jarred like the rhythm and routine of our lives. Stuck, beats on hold, literally going nowhere; chords of our usual activities hung, suspended – no end in sight, tension mounting.

‘All of us will respond and experience the current situation in different ways. There’s often though a visceral as well as cognitive reaction to change that is below conscious awareness, and this particular change has been dramatic, thrust upon us quickly, with no real period of transition or adjustment.

‘We’re likely to experience an ebb and flow of thoughts and feelings more acutely than usual – sad, anxious, angry – whatever, they’re all completely natural human reactions.

‘The physical and ‘mind-space’ we find ourselves in may highlight aspects of our lives, prompting us to take a different view. For some, this can be acutely painful as the arising thoughts and feelings are faced, perhaps for the first time. If we hadn’t realised they’d been hidden, it can be like a light suddenly illuminating a darkened corner of a room, with all the glare that entails! These experiences can be compounded if we live alone or have sometimes struggled to take care of our mental wellbeing.

‘It can be hard not to judge or push them away.  When we find ourselves wanting to do this – as we frequently will – pause and consciously take a few breathes.  Become aware of the connection of your feet to the ground, your posture and the areas against which your body makes contact – it only takes a few moments.  Then, ‘look’ again at what you see – but this time as an invitation to sit gently with whatever arises.  If our approach can be one of enquiry and interest, rather than defence, we may find our initial reaction lessening.  What we’re seeking to create is a connection with ourselves that is rooted in self kindness and compassion for anything we experience. There are many excellent and free apps that can help you practice this.

 

‘Take frequent moments throughout the day to check in with yourself.’

‘You might wish to spend some time reflecting on what has been revealed. As songwriters and composers, with a strong connection to inner creativity, you may feel moved to express your insights in another form – writing, painting or dancing for yourself as a means of discovery and adventure.

‘It’s also important for us to find different and positive ways to connect with each other, whether through social media platforms as well as picking up the phone to talk with friends and family.

‘Take frequent moments throughout the day to check in with yourself. Days may vary, sometimes it just might all feel a bit too much, and that’s okay. Limit your exposure to the news, whilst still keeping informed. Find a basic routine that works for you. Change and adapt according to what you need. Very few things are rigid and fixed in stone – take a cue from nature when going out on your daily walk – look closely at the emerging life all around. Take heart that this too will pass and another season will emerge.’

Last week, in partnership with PRS for Music and PRS Foundation, the Members’ Fund launched an Emergency Relief Fund. The fund is designed to help those facing significant financial pressure as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. It is available to writer members who have been a PRS member for at least two years and have earnt over £500 in royalties. Head here for more on how to apply.

If you would like to donate to the PRS for Music Emergency Relief Fund, you can do so here.

MORE NEWS.


March 15, 2023

Success stories: Jon Hart

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. As part of our Success Stories section, we interviewed our beneficiary Jon Hart, who talks about what does […]

Read More


February 21, 2023

Success stories: Linda Lamon

The people that we work with inspire us every day. We love to hear from our beneficiaries, it’s our favourite thing! The personal stories of those who have been affected by financial, physical or emotional  […]

Read More


February 10, 2023

Geoffrey Brand 1926-2023

We are saddened to hear of the passing of our Patron Geoffrey Brand, who died last Sunday, aged 96. Geoffrey was a renowned composer and conductor who has served as a trustee and Patron of […]

Read More


February 7, 2023

Brian Willey 1928-2023

It is impossible to be certain, but Brian Willey may well hold the record for attending the most Ivor Novello Awards. Brian, who died on January 16th aged 95, served as vice-chairman of the Songwriters’ […]

Read More


December 15, 2022

Christmas Newsletter 2022

A lot has happened during 2022. While we were just recovering from the impact of the Covid pandemic, the advent of the war in Ukraine caught us off guard and the subsequent cost of living […]

Read More


December 8, 2022

Crisis? Struggling? We’re here to help.

Our Winter Crisis Scheme 2022-23 As we approach the end of the year the cost of living crisis is having a huge impact on people’s mental health, because of the pressure of rising bills and […]

Read More


November 29, 2022

Giving Tuesday 2022

Happy Giving Tuesday to you! Together, today we can do something amazing to support PRS members and their families in time of need.   Giving Tuesday is a day when people and organisations from all […]

Read More


November 11, 2022

PRS Members’ Day in Belfast

PRS is bringing the PRS community together with its next Members’ Day in Belfast. PRS next Members’ Day will take place in Belfast on Tuesday 15 November 2022 at the Oh Yeah Music Centre. You can expect live music, […]

Read More


October 25, 2022

PRS Members’ Day in Manchester

PRS is bringing the PRS community together with its upcoming Members’ Day in Manchester. PRS next Members’ Day will take place in Manchester on Thursday 10 November 2022 at the Science & Industry Museum. You can expect live music, […]

Read More


October 11, 2022

Jennie Bellestar becomes our first Ambassador

WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR FIRST AMBASSADOR, JENNIE BELLESTAR MATTHIAS. Credit Jo Brent Photography   Singer/songwriter and poet Jennie Bellestar Matthias has joined the PRS Members’ Fund as an ambassador for the charity.   […]

Read More


September 1, 2022

Summer Newsletter

Summer is coming to an end, but the future still looks brighter following a year of uncertainty. We are pleased to share updates with you through our Summer Newsletter. You can read about our latest […]

Read More


August 19, 2022

Tales of the unexpected

Those of us of a certain age might remember the TV program Tales of the Unexpected where tarot cards revolved around on the screen at the opening and closing credits, with the theme music for […]

Read More

Need support?

Contact us at fund@prsformusic.com or +44 (0)203 741 4067

Complete the Application Form


GET IN TOUCH