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This is the first in a series of ATL special features, looking at stories that have impacted on our music community.

To launch Mental Health Awareness Week (8th – 14th May 2017) Stuart Bailie explores the need for mental health awareness in the music industry - through conversation with Katharine Philippa, Phil Quinn of Girls Names and Tony Wright of VerseChorusVerse.

They talk candidly about how mental health has affected their lives and their creative output – to help take away the stigma, and to increase understanding. They also discuss the power and empathy in other people's music - be it classical music, Lou Reed, or Kurt Cobain. Stuart also talks to professionals whose business it is to help musicians and how we might take positive steps once this condition has been recognised. With words from health professional Jacqueline Branson Thom and Christine Brown of Help Musicians UK.

If you have experienced any of the issues raised, you can find some helpful links on this programme page.