In a significant move to support mental health in the music industry, Universal Music Group (UMG) has partnered with Music Health Alliance (MHA) to launch the Music Industry Mental Health Fund. The initiative, which officially launches on February 14, aims to provide comprehensive, high-quality outpatient mental health resources to professionals across the U.S. music industry.
Expanding Access to Mental Health Resources
The newly introduced fund offers essential services to music professionals, including personalized recommendations for mental health counselors and psychiatrists, as well as grants to help offset the costs of treatment. The initiative also features a streamlined access point for those in need, with responses within 24 hours and a direct line to MHA’s team of health advocates who can assist with the mental health care process.
This program builds upon a four-year partnership between UMG and MHA, known as the Priority Healthcare Advocacy Program. This previous collaboration already provided legacy UMG artists and Universal Music Publishing songwriters with access to health advocates to navigate healthcare systems. To date, the program has served over 1,000 clients, saving them a total of $12.5 million in healthcare costs.
Inclusive Support for the Entire Music Industry
While the Priority Healthcare Advocacy Program initially catered to UMG’s legacy artists, the Music Industry Mental Health Fund is open to all current and former music industry professionals, regardless of their affiliation with UMG companies. This move demonstrates a broader effort to ensure that mental health services are accessible to every person working within the music industry, whether they’re behind the scenes or on stage.
UMG’s Chief Impact Officer, Susan Mazo, emphasized the company’s ongoing work to streamline access to mental health care, funding, and planning. “Growing and continuing our partnership with Tatum Allsep and the Music Health Alliance was the most natural way to ensure continuous and effective mental health support for anyone working in our industry,” Mazo said.
A Holistic Approach to Mental Health
Tatum Allsep, the founder of MHA, shared the organization’s belief in a holistic approach to health. “Music Health Alliance possesses the comprehensive resources necessary to address the full spectrum of mental health needs for music industry professionals,” she said. This includes financial assistance, psychiatric support, and access to intensive outpatient and inpatient programs, ensuring long-term commitment to the industry’s mental health and sustainability.
The initiative comes in the wake of increasing conversations about the mental health challenges within the music industry, highlighted by Chappell Roan during her Grammy Award acceptance speech. Roan urged record labels to provide livable wages and health insurance for their artists, adding a voice to the ongoing debate about how the music industry treats its artists.
Building a Broader Mental Health Ecosystem in Music
This partnership aligns with UMG’s ongoing efforts to improve wellness within the industry. In 2023, UMG worked with generative AI company Endel to develop wellness music, and in 2024, it teamed up with Rescape Innovation to create virtual reality treatments for anxiety. The company also collaborated with Ariana Huffington’s Thrive Global to launch a music-focused wellness app.
Additionally, UMG’s Vedam Records label in India focuses on wellness music, and the company has even filed a patent application for technology aimed at enhancing mental well-being through neural beats designed to produce desired mental states, such as relaxation or improved focus.
With the launch of the Music Industry Mental Health Fund, UMG and MHA are demonstrating a commitment to prioritizing the mental health of those who create the music that drives the industry. This initiative represents a critical step toward ensuring that the professionals behind the scenes are given the care and support they need to thrive.
