Burnout in the Creative Industries: Signs, Prevention, and Support
The creative industries are built on passion, emotion, and relentless dedication. But for many artists, arts workers, producers, and technicians, that same passion can quietly lead to something more dangerous: burnout.
Burnout in the creative sector isn’t just about working too hard — it’s about the slow erosion of mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing under the weight of performance pressure, precarity, and emotional labour.
This article explores what burnout looks like in the arts, how to prevent it, and where to find support if you’re already feeling overwhelmed — including how Hey Mate is supporting individuals and organisations to protect their people and foster healthy creative workplaces.
What is Burnout?
Burnout is defined by the World Health Organization (2019) as an “occupational phenomenon” resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It’s characterised by three key symptoms:
Exhaustion (emotional, mental, and physical)
Cynicism or detachment from work
Reduced professional efficacy or performance
While the term is often used casually, true burnout is a serious state of depletion that can lead to long-term mental health conditions like depression and anxiety — especially when left unaddressed.
Why Are Creative Workers at Higher Risk?
The nature of creative work exposes people to a unique combination of risk factors, including:
Unstable income and insecure employment
Long hours and irregular schedules
High emotional demands and vulnerability
Performance and perfectionism pressures
Limited access to HR, benefits, or structured support
Gig economy culture where people are praised for pushing through pain
According to research from Entertainment Assist and Victoria University (2015):
44% of arts workers reported symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety
33% showed signs of depression
More than 60% experienced exhaustion or burnout
Freelancers and sole traders are even more at risk, lacking organisational protections
These figures are backed by Support Act’s 2020 Mental Health and Wellbeing in Music and Live Performing Arts study, which found:
Over 60% of performing artists reported poor mental health
54% cited burnout or emotional exhaustion as key issues
Only 39% had accessed any form of mental health support
Signs of Burnout in the Creative Industries
Burnout can look different depending on your role — but some common red flags include:
Constant fatigue (even after rest)
Irritability, sadness, or disconnection from your work
Loss of creative energy or artistic confidence
Feeling numb, cynical, or resentful about gigs or deadlines
Withdrawing from collaborators, clients, or community
Frequent illness, headaches, or physical tension
Difficulty concentrating or feeling “foggy”
Overworking or avoiding rest due to guilt
Left unchecked, burnout can lead to anxiety, depression, substance use, and serious health issues — and for many creatives, it’s a quiet career-ender.
Prevention: What Individuals and Organisations Can Do
Burnout prevention isn’t just about bubble baths and days off — it requires structural, cultural, and personal change.
For Creative Professionals:
Set boundaries: Limit unpaid work, late nights, or last-minute requests.
Monitor your energy: Track when you feel most drained or inspired.
Prioritise rest: Rest is not a reward — it’s fuel.
Connect with peers: Isolation fuels burnout; connection heals it.
Access professional support: Don’t wait for crisis — use an EAP or talk to a counsellor early.
For Arts Organisations & Festivals:
Implement an EAP tailored to creative needs
Model work-life balance from the top down
Offer peer support programs or MHFA training
Conduct wellbeing risk assessments for high-pressure projects or tours
Provide structured debriefs after emotionally intense work
Create policies for psychological safety, including around trauma, harassment, and overwork
Hey Mate works directly with organisations to co-design burnout prevention strategies, from team workshops to individual support.
Where to Get Support
Whether you’re in the early stages of burnout or already deep in it — you’re not alone, and help is available.
Hey Mate
A creative industry-specific wellbeing provider offering:
1:1 confidential sessions
Peer support and trauma-informed care
Touring support and crisis response
Burnout workshops and mental health training
www.theheymateproject.com
24/7 Mental Health Support Lines
Support Act Wellbeing Helpline: 1800 959 500
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76 (First Nations-led helpline)
Additional Creative Resources
Arts Wellbeing Collective: Resources, toolkits, and training (VIC)
MEAA: Advocacy and access to mental health referrals
NAVA: For visual artists – wellbeing and financial support
Support Act Crisis Relief: Emergency financial and mental health grants
Burnout is Preventable — But Only if We Talk About It
Creativity shouldn’t come at the cost of wellbeing. The myth of the “tortured artist” is outdated — we need systems that support mental health, honour creative energy, and encourage artists to sustain their careers, not just survive them.
Whether you’re an individual navigating exhaustion, or an organisation wanting to better care for your team — burnout isn’t a personal failure. It’s a collective challenge, and we can meet it together.
Let’s make mental health in the arts non-negotiable.
Keywords: burnout in the arts, creative industries mental health, artist burnout signs, performing arts wellbeing, EAP for artists, support for exhausted creatives, mental health in music, creative burnout prevention, how to support artists’ mental health
