Mental Health and Financial Resources for Musicians
From the pressures of performance and touring to financial instability and fighting against infringers, the music industry can take a toll on a musician’s mental health. To help with these challenges, it’s important that musicians know about the mental health resources that are available to them which can be specifically tailored to their situation. That’s why, in light of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we put together a list of mental health resources for musicians.
For those of you in the creative community, but not within the music industry, last year we focused more broadly on mental health resources for creators that we encourage you to check out!
Music Health Alliance
Established in 2013 by Tatum Allsep, the Music Health Alliance is a non-profit that works to “Protect, Direct, and Connect” those in the music industry by providing grants to support music professionals when it comes to both medical and financial needs. According to the Music Health Alliance, they’ve worked with over 20,000 music industry professionals around the United States. In order to qualify for assistance, they require a projected gross income of $60,000 or less for the entire household, or for someone to be below the Federal Poverty Level for that given year based on the size of their family. If someone qualifies for a grant, those grants are paid directly to the healthcare provider of the facility where treatment is provided.
MusiCares
The Recording Academy created the U.S.-based charity MusiCares in 1989 to provide mental health, addiction recovery services, health services, and human services to people across the music industry spectrum. This includes musicians, songwriters, engineers, make-up artists, and more. MusiCares’ service for mental health and addiction includes a free support group, and a cyber emotional support group in partnership with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Multiple support groups within the MusiCares programs are targeted toward specific communities, such as groups for the LGBTQ Music Community, the Black Music Community, and others. Additionally, MusiCares helps with referrals and emergency financial assistance that range from counseling and psychiatric care to coaching and sober living.
Copyright Alliance Initiative to Promote Diversity in Copyright (IPDC program)
As a musician, knowing that your work is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office can help ease the fear and anxiety that may come if someone ever infringes on your work. The IPDC program, created by the Copyright Alliance, brings together volunteers and sponsors from across the copyright community to support Black creators, Indigenous creators, and creators of color (BIPOC creators) in the copyright system. Participation in the IPDC program is fully funded by program sponsors and is completely free to creators who participate. The IPDC program educates BIPOC musicians, as well as other qualifying BIPOC creators, on how to register work with the U.S. Copyright Office. Through the support of volunteers, the IPDC program helps relieve anxiety and added stress knowing that you’ve registered your creativities properly, and can enjoy the full benefits of the rights and protections afforded by the Copyright Act if there is an infringement.
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is a non-profit that was established in 1994 by singer/songwriter Victoria Williams. The organization’s goal is to provide “emergency financial assistance and other forms of support to career musicians, road crew, and anyone who makes the majority of their income in the music business.” This includes providing grants that help pay for everything from medical treatments and housing costs to food costs and insurance premiums to help ease the financial burden of musicians while they pursue their dreams. In addition to financial assistance, the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund also offers services that provide job-placement resources, bill negotiation assistance, information about health insurance programs, and more!
Music Industry Therapist Collective
Music Industry Therapist Collective (MITC) is a group of psychotherapists and counselors who host seminars, participate in panels, and organize workshops for music companies of all sizes. Whether they worked at a record label or were a tour manager, all of MITC’s therapists have extensive experience within the music industry. MITC’s presentations are specifically tailored to a company’s individual needs, which may be diversity, anxiety, addiction, or other mental health issues.
Below are a few additional mental health resources for musicians that are also worth checking out:
- SIMS Foundation: Mental health and substance use recovery services.
- Backline: Connects music industry professionals with mental health resources.
- Nuçi’s Space: Suicide prevention for musicians.
Podcasts on Mental Health for Musicians
There are also several podcasts that focus on helping musicians deal with mental health, including the following:
Elevate Music Podcast
Throughout the course of a musician’s career, they often experience a number of physical and emotional hardships and traumas. The Elevate Music Podcast was created to help “musicians to improve their health and wellbeing, one episode at a time.” The podcast topics range from How to Find Motivation in Times of Uncertainty and Overcoming Performance Anxiety to dealing with Stress and Burnout to Mental Health and Social Media.
CHECK YOUR HEAD: Mental Help for Musicians
The CHECK YOUR HEAD: Mental Help for Musicians podcast features well-known musicians and experts who discuss their mental health journeys and some solutions for wellness. This podcast is hosted by Mari Fong, a “People’s Choice” Podcast Award Winner. Guests include Wesley Schultz from The Lumineers, Zac Barnett from American Authors, and many more noteworthy artists! Topics range from Alcoholism and Depression Recovery to Bipolar Disorder Support.
Conclusion
Mental health treatment and otherwise seeking help for mental health issues is not something to be ashamed of. In fact, seeking help is a sign of strength. Musicians face a multitude of difficult challenges such as performance anxiety, the pressure to constantly create and innovate, infringers trying to steal their creativities, and the unpredictable nature of the music industry. But by prioritizing self-care and seeking support from friends and professionals, musicians can better navigate the ups and downs of their careers. Whether you need financial support or need someone to speak to directly, there is a resource out there made especially for you.
If you aren’t already a member of the Copyright Alliance, you can join today by completing our Individual Creator Members membership form! Members gain access to monthly newsletters, educational webinars, and so much more — all for free!