Road Weary: The Mental Health Challenges of Touring Artists

Source: Kevin Andre/ Unplash

It's 6 a.m. Rebecca grips her coffee cup, the watery brew from the hotel Keurig sloshing with each bump of the tour bus. Her mind replays last night's performance—the standing ovation, fans beaming as they thrust pens and playbills at her, the thrill of another glowing review. But the magic of these moments no longer lights her up. Instead, she feels an emptiness that has become all too familiar, a quiet companion on the road.

Life on tour, with all its adventure and accolades, is far from glamorous. Touring productions are like traveling circuses, moving from city to city, with performers settling into a new theater for a few days to months. This lifestyle comes at a cost, leading to exhaustion, loneliness, and strained relationships. A study published in The Journal of Psychiatric Research shows that nearly half of touring professionals are clinically depressed. Many also suffer from anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Touring can feel like a fairground ride, swinging from the highs of applause and acclaim to the lows of loneliness and instability.

Behind the Curtain: Risk Factors

1. Substance Abuse. For Tom, the Head of Hair & Makeup on a Broadway national tour, the road tested his resilience. After years of sobriety, the isolation of touring pulled him back into old habits. “I was sober for years,” Tom reveals, “but on tour, alone and surrounded by drugs and alcohol, I started using again. I didn’t have my people or anything solid.” By the end of the tour, Tom checked himself into a rehab program.

Substance use is an accepted part of the culture in the touring world—a way to unwind, bond and numb. The arts and entertainment industries have some of the highest rates of substance use disorders, according to The United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Rebecca discloses, "A bottle of wine alone each night stopped feeling like a lot of alcohol. The bottle was a friend, company to cook with or watch TV with."

2. Physical Demands and Sleep Deprivation. Touring is physically and emotionally draining. Rebecca found herself trapped in a cycle of insomnia, her sleep disrupted by changing time zones and unfamiliar beds. "The environment was always changing. The air and bus travel were hard," she confesses. "I eventually had to rely on sleeping pills to get enough rest to perform."

Research shows that poor sleep quality significantly heightens anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. Lack of adequate sleep can worsen mental health conditions, impair cognitive function, and disrupt emotional regulation, making it harder to cope with touring life.

3. Strain on Personal Relationships. Julianna, a dancer touring Europe, knows firsthand how this lifestyle strains relationships. "We'd fight more. He'd visit less," she recalls of her husband, Matt. "The resentment built on both sides. I could feel us drifting apart." Julianna struggled to balance her commitment to marriage and her passion for dance as her husband pressured her to leave the industry. "We eventually separated. He couldn't accept my career, and I get that."

Many performers like Julianna face similar challenges. Distance and time apart from loved ones can lead to misunderstandings and resentment, ultimately breaking emotional bonds.

4. Loneliness. Even when surrounded by colleagues and fans, touring professionals may struggle to form meaningful connections. Constant shifts in environment, the lack of a stable community, and distance from loved ones make it difficult to experience groundedness and belonging.

The U.S. Surgeon General has identified loneliness as a public health crisis, equating its impact on mortality to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. With increased risks for heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety, loneliness is more than a difficult emotion. It’s a serious health threat. Touring performers are especially vulnerable. Julianna shares, “When I was dancing, I felt fulfilled, but coming home to an empty apartment without Matt was excruciating. I constantly questioned if it was worth it.”

What Can Be Done?

While the challenges are significant, there are ways to foster resilience and well-being among touring companies.

• Self-Care. A holistic approach to well-being is crucial. Meditation, yoga, bedtime rituals, balanced nutrition, and physical activity help artists manage stress and maintain mental health. Engaging in activities like journaling, writing music, or making art can help maintain a sense of self outside of performance.
• Accessing Support. Access to mental health support is transformative, but staying connected with professionals is complicated by licensure regulations. Some states have introduced temporary laws or pacts that permit licensed counselors to practice across state lines. Telehealth services also offer continuity of care from a tour bus, hotel suite, or green room. Advocating for broader legislative changes to facilitate cross-border mental health support is crucial.
• Creating Healthier Touring Models. The industry is beginning to recognize the need for mental health support, with some companies now integrating mental health professionals into their touring teams, making therapy sessions more accessible. They are also establishing clearer boundaries for work and rest, implementing crisis management protocols, and fostering open discussions about mental health and emotional safety. As awareness grows, a healthier future for touring professionals becomes a reachable reality.

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Curtain Call

Touring is an exhilarating way of life, but it comes with burdens that can take a heavy toll on mental health. Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward creating a culture that values the artist's well-being as much as the art. By prioritizing mental health and advocating for healthier practices, the industry can support performers not just as entertainers, but as people.

To the artists who bring magic and inspiration into our lives: Speak up, seek support, and stand by one another. Your well-being is valued and vital.

To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.