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In a significant move to bolster mental health support within the music industry, Universal Music Group (UMG) has partnered with the non-profit organization Music Health Alliance (MHA) to establish the Music Industry Mental Health Fund. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive outpatient mental health resources to both current and former music industry professionals across the United States.
The fund offers a range of services, including personalized referrals to mental health counselors and psychiatrists, as well as financial grants to help offset treatment costs. Building upon a four-year collaboration between UMG and MHA, this program ensures that individuals seeking support receive a response within 24 hours, granting them immediate access to MHA‘s team of health advocates.
Susan Mazo, UMG‘s Chief Impact Officer, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “We have been working on ways to establish a streamlined pathway for mental health access, funding, and care planning.” Tatum Hauck Allsep, Founder and CEO of MHA, added, “Music Health Alliance possesses the comprehensive resources necessary to address the full spectrum of mental health needs for music industry professionals.”
This initiative comes on the heels of Chappell Roan‘s impactful speech at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. Upon receiving the Best New Artist award, Roan highlighted the challenges artists face, particularly regarding healthcare access, and called upon record labels to provide livable wages and health insurance to their artists. Her remarks have ignited a broader conversation about the responsibilities of the music industry toward its talent.
In response to Roan‘s advocacy, several artists and organizations have pledged support. Chappell Roan herself donated $25,000 to Backline‘s “We Got You!” campaign, a fundraising effort aimed at improving healthcare accessibility for artists. Artists such as Charli XCX, Noah Kahan, and Sabrina Carpenter have matched this donation, demonstrating a unified commitment to enhancing mental health resources within the music community.
The establishment of the Music Industry Mental Health Fund signifies a pivotal step toward addressing the mental health needs of those within the music sector, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of the industry’s role in supporting the well-being of its professionals.
