Mental health is not an isolated concern but a universal one. Recent surveys reveal that one in six individuals wrestles with symptoms of mental health problems on a weekly basis. Despite growing awareness, stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health persist, causing many individuals to hide their struggles due to the fear of societal judgment.
Let’s turn our attention to the music scene, an industry long recognized as a hub of creativity and passion. Surprisingly, it too grapples with significant mental health issues. This raises the question: why does this problem endure, and what can we do about it?
The competitiveness in the spotlight
Several researches, including studies conducted by the University of Denver, uncover a startling reality. Professionals in the music industry are at three times higher risk of experiencing anxiety and depression compared to their peers in other fields.
The answer lies in the fierce and intense competition that tackles every corner of the industry, affecting everyone from musicians to organizations, including but not limited to, streaming platforms, record labels, booking agencies, and technology companies—each contributing to the vibrant yet challenging tapestry of this unique industry.
A word from Xceed
Since our inception in 2009, we have believed in contributing to this industry. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that the magic truly began. We decided to become THE global going-out platform for event-goers seeking unforgettable experiences. You can learn more about this journey in A Rebranding Story – Xceed Brand.
“Xceed’s mission is to unite people, allowing them to connect with fellow music enthusiasts and authentic events on a global scale to make event-going experiences even more epic.”
– Mattia Franco, CEO & Co-founder of Xceed
At that time, our team was primarily located in Xceed’s headquarters, with only two bold salespeople who believed in the project and helped bootstrap Xceed’s internationalization.
During this period, the importance of mental health became increasingly evident, especially when navigating the complexities of the music industry within the startup environment, where competition is a daily challenge.
“When we enjoy good mental health, we possess a sense of purpose, energy, and resilience to face any setback upfront. Our biggest advice, and also one of our five bold cultural statements, is: Never forget to have fun.”
– Mattia Franco, CEO & Co-founder of Xceed
Our commitment to fostering a supportive work environment
The music industry is truly global, and we’ve embraced that diversity. Transitioning from a local-focused entity to a distributed one has enriched our workforce. We now have team members in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, the UK, and South Africa, contributing to a successful global product for over 11 million users.
“Start-up organizations can offer both joyful experiences and exhausting journeys, especially in remote work settings. That’s why we foster a flexible and friendly remote culture based on individual accountability, supported by robust policies promoting disconnection and work-life balance.”
– Julia Abad, Head of HR
Our goal is to create an environment where our people feel a sense of belonging and empowerment, knowing that it’s okay not to be okay. While we continue to enhance our mental health program, some ongoing initiatives begin with our hiring process
“Despite being a tech company, there is a strong emphasis on human interaction. The young and relaxed atmosphere allows us to celebrate and face challenges together. The benefits promised during interviews were genuine. Over time, I found myself able to relax, share jokes, and enjoy the endless office playlists. Flexible working hours allow me to embrace life in Barcelona and beyond.”
– Maria Pia Araujo, Customer Support Specialist
Our health and wellness program focuses on key areas:
- Open Communication: Encouraging regular sharing of feelings and challenges to nurture a culture of openness and strong, personal relationships in the workplace.
- Recognition and Feedback: Acknowledging and celebrating employees’ contributions while providing constructive feedback to support their well-being and professional growth.
“Combining academic and work life can be a huge challenge. With Xceed it was a piece of cake. A timetable suited to me, confidence in my potential, continuous growth and open communication are what have defined my career within the company. My opinions have been taken into account since day 1 despite being the youngest.”
– Constancia Moreno, Digital Marketing & Content Creation
- Supportive Leadership: Developing compassionate and effective relationships between line managers and staff, providing training to managers to better support staff dealing with mental health issues.
- Time Management and Setting Boundaries: Effective time management and boundary-setting to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This includes scheduling self-care, breaks, and prioritizing tasks.
“As a music producer and industry worker, it may sound complicated to be able to handle both works. I feel a lot of positive aspects working for Xceed, as it allows me to manage my schedule flexibly while maintaining a disciplined schedule that enables me to work with my peers. As for music, during the day I play playlists while working and think to myself, “Oh, that could make a good sample”, but it stops there. Then, on the weekend, I produce and put together my ideas.”
– Etienne Pierron, Partnerships Lead France
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Offering work schedule flexibility to accommodate individual needs and reduce stress. We welcome both night owls and early birds to the team.
“I am based in Madrid, and even though the headquarters are in Barcelona, I feel like every day I work with the team because everyone is super near to each other. I don’t feel the need to go to the office every day. At the end of the day, I do work in sales. We’re talking about a company that relies a lot on your own ownership. So if it’s something you’re capable of doing, it’s your company.”
– Charles Benet, Partnerships Lead Spain
- Workation Policy: Work from wherever and whenever you want to break routine and foster creativity. Xceed organizes annual events for team bonding, workshops, and getting to know each other.
- Disconnection Policies: Turning off notifications outside regular working hours and muting notifications while on vacation, with proper communication.
“Xceed has added a new player in the game recently: workation. I had the chance to spend a month in Cape Town, exploring the country while working in a different time zone. This allowed me to experience new cultures and climates, break the routine, without taking traditional holidays. As Xceed emphasizes, freedom comes with accountability.”
– Ferran Rovira, Senior Backend Engineer
As we bring this post to a close, it’s essential for individuals in the music industry, as in any other field, to recognize that prioritizing mental health is not just practical advice; it’s an expression of self-awareness, self-love, self-prioritization, and courage.
It’s time to shift our focus towards fostering the well-being of our people and cultivating healthier work environments. And, as our CEO wisely reminds us: never forget to have fun!
