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COPING IN LOCKDOWN: THERAPY ON TOUR & THE BACK LOUNGE With the touring community grounded for the foreseeable future, two support groups crop up online with the goal of providing community and support for those in need during this trying time.
The relationship between social media and mental health is a complex one. Despite the benefits of offering a medium for communication, there are many who would point to social media as a catalyst for various underlying mental health issues. This month, TPi was keen to highlight two new incentives that have recently emerged via social media – namely Tiffany Hudson’s Therapy on Tour and Suzi Green’s The Back Lounge. With a great deal of experience within the live touring sector, both women have interesting insights into the effect the current global situation is having on those working in the industry, which led them to create these safe spaces for people to discuss the issues and communities to support one another through this time. Having worked in various touring roles for a number of years, Hudson left the touring circuit in 2017. “I had already started training as a therapist at that point,” she explained. Despite making a drastic career change, Hudson still wanted to keep a focus on the touring sector, outlining her goal of offering her services for those who need it on the road. “We would then keep a dialogue with those I speak to on tour between legs as – from personal experience – transitioning from being on the road to back at home was always the toughest time.” However, given the current landscape, the industry is now experiencing more time at home than ever before. “It’s super tough right now for those working in the industry,” she commented. “Many are having to look at the possibility of different careers, which is a terrifying prospect.” Hudson explained how she had heard of people beginning to meet up in groups to support one another – an idea she thought she could
expand on. “I wanted to create a peer support group to provide a space that is supportive for more people in our industry during this pandemic. It’s a confidential space to connect with fellow industry colleagues, share resources, ideas and experiences.” Despite being a registered therapist, Hudson was clear that this was not a therapy group but a support network taking place via Zoom – with all the relevant safeguards, including locked room and password protection. Speaking following the first session of the pilot group, Hudson reported: “There were six of us this week. The group felt strong and supportive, with everyone discussing their personal challenges and things that they have found supportive recently. It was uplifting from my experience and I hope to hear similar things from the members, too. Considering the members didn’t know each other before, there was great chat and sense of community, whilst staying on the topic of wellbeing.” As well as creating the group, Hudson has also shared her thoughts on how people can make sure they look after themselves during this trying time. “One issue is the misunderstanding of what selfcare actually is,” she proffered. “As an example, getting your hair done or something where you treat yourself is not necessarily truly spending quality time.” She noted that something as menial as “finding as little as 10 minutes a day, or when you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed to go for a walk, do some yoga or have a cup of tea with limited outside distraction can have a huge impact on mental health.” She also explained that another common issue was the need to create boundaries while living at home full time. “For example, if it’s not a good 10
