Mental Health

Songwriters are the lifeblood of the music industry. 
The SONA Foundation has created a mental health resource page and soon-to-launch grant program to ensure healthy, fulfilling lives for all music creators as they navigate the inevitable challenges and rewards of the music business.

Mental Health Fireside Chats

The SONA Foundation's Fireside Chat Series, in partnership with Backline, is a monthly virtual conversation centered on Mental Health for Songwriters. 

Each session includes a moderator, two songwriters, and a clinical counselor exploring tender topics that are at the center of the human experience and creativity. Prior sessions have explored unexpected illness, topics of identity, loss of a child, the process of navigating sobriety and addiction, and so much more. Guest songwriters include both those who work behind the scenes writing for others, as well as those who tour as performing artists themselves, as we discuss the unique challenges songwriters face in the music industry, share tips on how songwriters can take care of their mental health in and outside of the studio, and explore ways in which the industry can support songwriters for the long term.

Fireside Chats are free to attend,  live permanently on both The SONA Foundation's website and YouTube Channel.

Watch recent Fireside Chats below and click here for the YouTube Fireside Chat playlist.

Watch our Therapy 101 conversation with mental health partners, Backline.care, where we answer all your questions about the mental health care system, how to find therapy (regardless of insurance coverage), expectations, preparation, how to find the right therapist fit, different modalities, and life coaches vs. therapy.

How does physical health impact mental health? This Fireside Chat is devoted to exploring the experiences of long term, unexpected illnesses and how physical health impacts mental health and creativity. Join us and our special songwriter guests, four-time Grammy winner and Hits to Healing founder, Brian Kennedy; Songwriter/Photographer and L7 vocalist/bassist, Jennifer Finch; and Backline Clinical Director, Ari Jacobson.

“It's past time to recognize and honor women’s contributions.” - singer/songwriter Grace Pettis.

Watch our conversation about being a woman in the music industry, with special songwriter guests, Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo, Doc McStuffins) and singer-songwriter Grace Pettis; Backline Counselor, Nyeesha Williams.

November 2023’s Fireside Chat was devoted to creating through grief and loss, with Clinical Psychologist, songwriter, filmmaker Dr. Eanah; singer/songwriter & performer Scott Simons; Backline Case Manager Brad Cole; The SONA Foundation's Arielle Silver; and Backline Community Manager Terra Lopez.

Emergency RESOURCES

Find a THERAPIST

Backline.care is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources. They are building a safer and more supportive music industry by helping our community access quality mental health care providers that understand our line of work.

Backline will work one-on-one with you to get the mental health and wellness resources that are right for you. Schedule a call with them to determine what types of services can be provided, assess your financial, and insurance status, and develop a plan of action. Click here for more info.

More RESOURCES

  • Psychology Today Find a Therapist Tool

  • APA (American Psychological Association) Psychologist Locator

  • ZenCare Therapist Database 

  • GoodTherapy Therapist Directory  

  • The SIMS Foundation provides mental health and substance use recovery services and supports for musicians, music industry professionals, and their dependent family members in and around Austin and Central Texas.

  • Finessed Media is a New York City-based WOC-led startup which provides resources and education for underrepresented artists and other music industry entrepreneurs, and hosts quarterly events focused on mental health featuring professionals from across the music industry.

  • Music Industry Therapists Collective Therapist List and Contacts

  • MusicCares provides:

    • Mental health and addition recovery services, health and human services, and crisis relief, preventive care, recovery resources, and need-based financial assistance for people across all music professions. 

    • Free support groups

  • Music Health Alliance provides personal healthcare advocacy services to help the music community navigate specific healthcare needs in vision, dental, medical, mental, and senior care guidance, as well as access to state and federal health insurance options.

Online Therapy RESOURCES

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