UK Dj and producer Ben Pearce has release a statement where he cancels all his shows for the rest of the year due to and ongoing problem with depression. In his Facebook post he wrote:
“I have an important message for all my fans, especially anybody who is planning on seeing me DJ this year. It is with a deep regret I am cancelling all my upcoming shows for 2016. I’ve battled with depression for the past few years and despite professional help I have reached a place where I know this is sadly the only choice I’m left with. It has nearly pushed me to saying goodbye altogether a few times and now more than ever I feel that is a huge risk. It’s affected every part of my life, I never used to have social or performance anxiety and now I suffer with it terribly. It is real, it isn’t talked about enough in society or the music industry and I hope my fans and fellow industry members can understand my decision. It can be easy to hide behind your social media or intoxicants and pretend it isn’t happening but that doesn’t help in the long run.
This isn’t a goodbye forever at this stage; this is taking the time and the steps necessary to make an attempt at recovery towards leading a healthy mental state of mind. I may still be making music, I’m not sure yet what will happen. I hope I can come back from this, I know deep down I am truly grateful and lucky to be able to do this for a living.
Lastly I would like to thank each and every one of you who has supported me, you’re the only reason I’m not still working in a call center and do not for one second think I am not extremely grateful for that. Ben x”
It’s well documented that working in the arts has one of highest rate of depression as Health.com reported a few years ago. DJ’s such and Avicii and Erick Morillo have reported mental health problems caused by the tolls of touring, nightlife, and drug abuse.
