The SIMS Foundation, a long-standing provider of free and low-cost mental health care for musicians in Austin, has resumed its vital services after a three-month hiatus. The organization, which had faced financial and operational challenges, reached a fundraising milestone of $500,000 in late 2024, enabling it to continue supporting the city’s music community.
A Community Rally
Derrick Lesnau, CEO of SIMS Foundation, expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support from the Austin community, which rallied behind the foundation during a period of uncertainty. “We just couldn’t be more thankful for the community to really rally to our support and understand the challenges we were under,” Lesnau said. “They came to our aid, and we’re very fortunate to live in a community that understands the importance of what we do and why we need to continue.”
The pause in services, announced in October 2024, was necessary for SIMS to regroup and adjust to a new service model. Prior to the pause, SIMS had offered discounted mental health services to musicians, but the organization faced financial difficulties, prompting the transition.
New Service Model
Under the new model, SIMS will no longer provide full coverage of mental health care costs but will instead offer some financial assistance to clients. In addition, the foundation is now partnering with Sendero, a low-cost insurance provider through Central Health, to help musicians sign up for affordable plans that cover mental health services.
Lesnau emphasized that these changes, though challenging, were essential for the organization to remain operational and ensure its sustainability for the long term. “We want to be here for 30 more years, so some of these changes were necessary to make that a possibility,” he said.
Concerns from the Community
The decision to pause services and transition to the new model was met with concern from both clients and supporters. Stephen Savage, an Austin musician who has relied on SIMS for years, expressed frustration over the lack of clarity from the foundation. “I feel like, because you’re taking away a critical service, you’re taking away something that people depend on,” Savage said. “They have a lot to answer for.”
Savage received a letter from SIMS’ board chair last year informing him that certain aspects of the service were “no longer sustainable,” leaving many clients uncertain about what to expect moving forward. While Savage has found alternative mental health coverage through the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, he expressed concern that SIMS may not be able to provide the same level of care in the future. “I’m really scared for the whole Austin community that they provide for,” he said. “There’s now just gonna be a big hole.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the concerns, Lesnau remains optimistic about SIMS’ ability to rebuild trust within the music community. “Now begins the work of just regaining trust and regaining confidence in who we are and why we’re here and how we’re connecting our members to care,” he said. “This is a necessary transition for us to continue.”
As the foundation works to adapt its services to the evolving needs of Austin’s musicians, it faces the dual challenge of both financial sustainability and ensuring that it can still provide meaningful mental health support to those who need it most. The community’s continued support will be crucial in helping SIMS navigate this transition and continue its mission of supporting the mental health of Austin’s music scene for years to come.
