The Silent Struggle: Mental Health Challenges Unique to Opera Singers

Think about all the times you've been on stage. The audience sees an opera singer and the character—confident, powerful, and full of expression. But if you're an opera singer, there's a silent struggle behind every aria. The world of opera is beautiful and inspiring, but it often hides a lot of mental health challenges that are unique to us as performers.

In recent years, mental health for opera singers and other performing artists has begun to emerge as a serious and necessary conversation within the performing arts world. Yet the issues remain largely unspoken, often hidden behind tradition, stigma, and the pressure to appear perfect. The current climate of the arts, as we watched the dismantling of the board of the Kennedy Center be stripped before our very eyes, does not add much sunshine to the conversation either.

1. The Pressure of Perfection

Opera singers face intense expectations—technically, emotionally, and physically. There's no margin for error when delivering a demanding role in a foreign language, often from memory, while maintaining vocal excellence. This can lead to opera singer anxiety, imposter syndrome, and chronic stress.

2. Isolation and Loneliness

Opera careers often require frequent travel, irregular hours, and long periods away from loved ones. Many singers, especially those early in their careers, report feelings of isolation and loneliness. The lack of consistent community and support systems can make it difficult to cope with emotional ups and downs.

3. Vocal Health and Mental Health Are Intertwined

The voice is not just an instrument—it's a part of the singer's body and identity. Vocal fatigue, illness, or injury can impact self-esteem, career trajectory, and financial stability. The fear of losing one's voice can be paralyzing, heightening anxiety and depression.

4. Financial Insecurity and Burnout

Despite their talent and training, many opera singers face financial insecurity, gig-to-gig instability, and intense competition. These factors contribute to classical musician burnout, especially when singers must balance their craft with side jobs and self-promotion.

5. The Stigma of Seeking Help

Unfortunately, the classical music world still grapples with outdated ideas of resilience and toughness. Seeking therapy or mental health support is often seen as a weakness or liability, especially in high-profile roles. This keeps many artists suffering in silence rather than accessing the care they need.

Breaking the Silence

Opera singers are storytellers—of love, tragedy, joy, and transformation. It's time we create space for them to tell their own stories, including the mental and emotional toll of their profession.

Here are a few steps we can take as a community:

• Normalize therapy and peer support groups in conservatories and companies.

• Encourage open conversations about performance pressure, failure, and fear.

• Create access to resources tailored for performing artists.

• Promote rest and balance as essential to a sustainable career.

  
  

Mental health is not a luxury; it's a necessity. By addressing the silent struggle opera singers face, we ensure a stronger, more resilient, and more honest future for the art form we love.

If you're an opera singer navigating these challenges, you’re not alone. Share your experience below, or connect with organizations like NAMI, or local performing arts wellness networks.

If you or anyone else you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.