MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR MUSICIANS (UPDATED FOR 2026)

SMASH STAFF
6 hours ago
4 min read

May is Mental Health Awareness month! With a new year comes new resources, and we’re excited to bring you together a round-up of local and national resources that are here to help you stay healthy while at home or on-the-road.

MUSICIAN MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES (in alphabetical order)

Backline

Provides mental health case management support for music industry members and their families; can connect to their own Mental Health Fund for care and assist with finding a mental health provider.

Requirements:
- Must be a US Resident AND
- Must receive 50% or more income derived from music (venues, writing, touring, live event production) within the last two years OR
- Spouses, partners, and children of qualifying individuals are also eligible for Backline's services.
Apply for help: https://backline.care/case-management/
B-Line
- Crisis support line designed specifically for music professionals.
- Call: 855-BLINE99
- Text: 254-639
Free Support Groups
- Fireside Chats (Sona x Backline)
  - Free virtual event for all addressing the unique challenges songwriters face, offering tips for mental well-being, and exploring ways the industry can provide long-term support.
  - When: Every 3rd Thursday, 1 PM PST
  - Attend the monthly chat here: https://www.sonafoundation.com/firesidechats
- The Green Room Support Group
  - A safe place for people to come together and talk about what it means to work in the music industry in today’s global climate. Connect with music industry peers and licensed professionals and seek support, advice, and sit with shared experiences.
  - When: Tuesdays, 11:15 AM
  - Attend the weekly chat here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82087339393

MusiCares

Provides mental health funding, assistance finding a therapist, and substance use disorder support.

Requirements:
- A minimum of five years employment in the music industry (three years for disaster relief), OR
- Six commercially released recordings or videos (singles)
Process can take several weeks. Musicians must first email or call them and then fill out the linked application if they qualify.
Website to Apply: https://www.musicares.org/get-help
Phone Number: (800) 687-4227
Email: help@musicares.org
Free Support Groups
- LGBTQIA+ Music Community Group
  - A confidential virtual support group for LGBTQIA+ music professionals to connect, share, and seek support.
  - When: Wednesdays, 12 PM PST
  - Contact to attend: Dr. Adrienne N. Williams (Adrienne@mylifeepiphany.com)
- Women’s Support Group
  - A safe space for women in the music industry to discuss challenges, share advice, and seek support.
  - When: Thursdays, 10 AM P ST
  - Contact to attend: Danielle Bowker, LPC/MHSP (Danielle@dBCounseling.com)
- Black Music Community Group
  - A confidential virtual support group for Black music professionals to connect and share experiences.
  - When: Thursdays, 12 PM PST
  - Contact to attend: Dr. Adrienne N. Williams (Adrienne@mylifeepiphany.com)
- Music Professionals Support Group
  - A virtual support group for music professionals to discuss industry challenges and seek support.
  - When: Fridays, 1 PM PST
  - Contact to attend: Paul Ill, AMFT (Paulill@me.com or (818) 634-8953)
- Addiction Recovery Support Groups: A deeper-than-12-step, less-formal group for music professionals in recovery.
  - When: Tuesdays, 1 PM PST or 2 PM PST
    - Contact to attend:
      - 1 PM PST - Tori Mierlak, LCAT (victoriamierlak@gmail.com)
      - 2 PM PST - David Roberti, CADC II (david.roberti@gmail.com or (310) 993-3184)
      - 2 PM PST - August Boyd, LCSW (august@imaginerecovery.com or (504) 638-8008)
      - 4 PM PST - Pete Harris, PhD (PeteHarrisPhD@mac.com or (615) 279-3663)
  - When: Wednesdays, 5 PM PST
    - Contact to attend: Marty Rein, PhD (mjrein24@comcast.net or (970) 829-7399)
  - When: Thursdays, 2 PM PST or 4 PM PST
    - Contact to attend:
      - 2 PM PST - August Boyd, LCSW (august@imaginerecovery.com or (504) 638-8008)
      - 4 PM PST - Pete Harris, PhD (PeteHarrisPhD@mac.com or (615) 279-3663)

Music Health Alliance

Provides mental health grants and resources for music professionals through their Mental Health Fund.

Requirements:
- Must have made a living in the music industry for 3+ years.
- For those requesting financial assistance, a projected annual household adjusted gross income must be at or below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level (special consideration will be given to extenuating circumstances).
Website to apply for assistance: https://www.musichealthalliance.com/mental-health-application
Phone Number: (615) 200-6896 x1
Email: info@musichealthalliance.com

Sweet Relief

Provides mental health funding for musicians’ mental health and touring groups; can help connect musicians to mental health providers via Backline.

Requirements:
- Must have, or had, a serious medical or mental health condition.
- Must demonstrate financial need.
- Must be able to show that at least 50% of their annual income comes from their work as a musician or in other music industry related jobs.

**Exceptions to income and serious health need made for retired or semi-retired older (ages 65+) industry workers.

Website to Apply: https://www.sweetrelief.org/mentalhealthfund.html
Phone Number: (714) 626-0447
Email: info@sweetrelief.org

LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES (in alphabetical order)

COMMUNITY CLINICS

Offer various types of behavioral health support via insurance and on a sliding scale for those who are low income. Must be a patient or become a patient of the clinic to qualify for care.

HealthPoint
- Find a clinic and schedule an appointment: https://www.healthpointchc.org/health-services/behavioral-health
International Community Health Services (ICHS)
- Find out more information and call to schedule: https://www.ichs.com/services/integrated-behavioral-health
Neighborcare
- Schedule an appointment: https://neighborcare.org/services/mental-health/
SeaMar
- Find out more information and schedule an appointment: https://www.seamar.org/services-bh.html
Seattle Roots Community Health
- Find out more information and schedule a consultation: https://seattleroots.org/behavioral-health/

ORGANIZATIONS

Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) - provides AANPI-focused mental health care and community services.
- Requirements:
  - Must go through intake process to be enrolled in the Behavioral Health program.
- Contact to get enrolled: mhintake@acrs.org
- Phone Number: (206) 695-7511
DMHS Free Therapy & Wellness Program - provides 12 free sessions with a licensed mental health practitioner.
- Requirements:
  - All welcome to apply, centers BIPOC applicants;
  - Must be underinsured in some capacity;
  - Must currently not have a therapist, or have a therapist in the DMHS program.
- Click here to go to application link to apply.
- Phone Number: (253) 951-9990
SOUND Behavioral Health – provides mental health support, substance use disorder treatment, child and youth services for residents of WA state.
- Schedule an appointment: https://www.sound.health/get-care/client-resources
- Phone Number:  (206) 901‑2000
- Find a Walk-In Location: https://www.sound.health/locations
Therapy Fund Foundation – provides vouchers to Black community members to cover therapy costs; has a community of vetted mental health providers who serve BIPOC communities.
- Requirements for Financial Aid:
  - Must be from the Black diaspora;
  - Must meet financial hardship requirements.
- Opens voucher applications up seasonally, so not always available.
- Apply for Financial Aid: https://therapyfundfoundation.org/therapy-fund-application
- Click here to find a provider in WA.
- Phone Number: (253) 951-9990

For help connecting to any of these resources, or if you’re not sure where to start, reach out to SMASH at memberservices@smashseattle.org. We are happy to help.