Strike
A
Chord
Discussion Spoke Volumes On Mental
Wellness in the Entertainment Industry
By Dana Janssen
from TourReady, Inc.
In July 2017,
the music world tragically and abruptly lost the lead singer of
Linkin Park, Chester Bennington. Born out of tragedy, on January 31, 2018, the Strike A
Chord Discussion at Live Nation Canada focused on mental wellness in the entertain-
ment industry and specific actions to take better care of ourselves and each other.
While working in the entertainment industry is rewarding, the lifestyle itself creates
challenges to our mental health. The constantly evolving industry creates a high-pres-
sure, stressful environment where we tend to place our entire well being on the back
burner as a matter of course.
High stress, lack of sleep, chronic jet lag, poor eating habits, and a lack of exercise
are just a few of the challenges touring professionals deal with on a daily basis. A 2017
American business traveler study from On Call International found that ⅓ of road war-
riors experience higher than normal stress levels, causing several issues including the
growth or worsening of depression and anxiety.
In response to the growing number of individuals who are emotionally suffering, Live
Nation Canada, Bell Let’s Talk, Warner Music Canada, Canadian Event Safety and Event
Safety Alliance (ESA) teamed up to spread mental health awareness and voice a new
approach for people to easily find the help they deserve.
Those participating in the panel were those closest to Chester, including Talinda Ben-
nington, Chester’s wife; Anna Shinoda, Author and Chester’s band mate’s wife; ESA
Chairman Jim Digby, Director of Touring and Production for Linkin Park; and Joey
“Vendetta” Scoleri, Head of Industry Relations of Live Nation Canada. Dr. Barbara Van
Dahlen, Ph.D., Founder and President of Give An Hour also joined the event. Give an
Hour leads the Campaign to Change Direction and is now working closely with Talinda
Bennington to reach those who are in need of mental health care and support.
In addition to the organizations previously listed, attendees of the private event includ-
ed The AFC, a company that provides emergency funding for Canada’s entertainment
industry; OVER THE BRIDGE, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health and addiction
awareness and support resources; and TourReady, Inc., a partner of the ESA working to
spread the Canadian initiatives on mental health awareness and actions in the United
States.
The group disclosed personal experiences in order to discuss how to talk about mental
health; recognize warning signs, changes in behaviors and triggers; seek support for
ourselves; and how to help those surrounding us who are suffering emotionally and/
or dealing with addiction.
Live entertainment individuals gathered before the panel hoping to make a lasting
change across the industry in the aftermath of the loss of Chester. We hope to heal
ourselves and those in need. The discussion on mental health has well begun reaching
higher volumes and has sparked the world to listen more than ever before. People are
28
“There are four things in this life that will change you.
Love, music, art and loss. The first three will keep you
wild and full of passion. May you allow the last to
make you brave.”
- Erin Van Vuren