At the beginning of the month, it was announced that father of Avicii, Klas Bergling, would speak at IMS Ibiza 2019 on the topic of mental health and shining a light on the vital work of the Tim Berling Foundation. This past Thursday, Klas spoke, sharing the ethics and philosophy of the newly created foundation, once again drawing attention to the importance of recognizing and treating the early signs of deteriorating mental health, anxiety and depression for performing artists and those working in the music industry.
The interview at IMS was conducted by well known producer/DJ/radio host Pete Tong. In the interview, Klas paid tribute to his son and outlined some of the areas that may have contributed to a deterioration of his state of mind, pointing at a punishing schedule, lack of sleep, pressure to perform and alcohol abuse all contributing to depression and anxiety.
“It’s not many jobs that you can drink while you work, or you’re allowed to. If you start drinking at your job, your manager is supposed to take care of you quickly […] Life as a DJ and travels where you don’t get any rest between, you travel a lot you sleep less. The pressure is great depending on the individual, some people handle it perfectly, others don’t.”
To celebrate Tim’s life and to continue his legacy, the Tim Bergling Foundation was created on March 26, 2019, funded solely from the estate left by Avicii. Working internationally but starting initially in Sweden, the foundation aims to educate people and businesses on the issues surrounding suicide and mental health, also focusing on climate change and endangered species, causes that were very close to Tim’s heart.
“We are setting up the foundation to focus preventative work for mental illness and suicide, we are also looking at threatened animals and nature which was Tim’s passion as well as climate.”
Read more about the Tim Bergling Foundation and submit your own memories of Avicii here.