SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Following a passionate call for change by Chappell Roan at the 2024 Grammys, the music industry is beginning to take action to address mental health concerns among its professionals. Nearly two weeks after her historic speech where she demanded better compensation and healthcare for artists, Universal Music Group (UMG) and Music Health Alliance (MHA) have announced the launch of a Mental Health Fund aimed at supporting musicians’ mental well-being.
Roan, who hails from Willard, Missouri, used her acceptance speech for Best New Artist to advocate for a livable wage and comprehensive health care for developing artists. Speaking from her heart, she shared, “I told myself if I ever won a Grammy and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists.”
This bold call to action has resulted in a collaborative effort between UMG and MHA, with the new mental health fund designed to provide music industry professionals nationwide with access to comprehensive, high-quality outpatient mental health resources.
A Streamlined Pathway for Mental Health Care
UMG’s Chief Impact Officer Susan Mazo expressed her excitement about the new initiative, stating, “We have been working on ways to establish a streamlined pathway for mental health access, funding, and care planning. Growing and continuing our partnership with Tatum and the Music Health Alliance was the most natural way to ensure continuous and effective mental health support for anyone working in our industry.”
What the Fund Offers
The Mental Health Fund by MHA will provide a range of essential services designed to support musicians and other industry professionals. These services include:
Mental Health Resources: Personalized recommendations for mental health counselors and psychiatrists tailored to the individual’s needs, grants to help offset treatment costs, and ongoing support through additional financial assistance if required.
Healthcare Services: MHA offers an array of healthcare advocacy services, including guidance on individual and family health insurance, group health services, dental care (via the Richard M. Bates SMILE Fund), senior care support, and vision care resources.
The fund will ensure that musicians and others in the industry can access resources quickly, with initial inquiries receiving a response within 24 hours.
Addressing the Industry’s Needs
The partnership with Tatum and the Music Health Alliance aligns perfectly with UMG’s goal of fostering a healthier, more supportive environment for artists. As part of the initiative, MHA’s team of healthcare advocates will help guide music professionals to the most appropriate care, whether it’s mental health counseling, psychiatric support, or general healthcare.
The fund’s launch is a significant step forward in addressing the mental health needs of those who have long faced a lack of support within the industry. The initiative underscores the growing recognition that musicians, like everyone else, deserve proper mental health care to thrive personally and professionally.
Chappell Roan’s call for change has not only sparked conversation but also tangible action, and the music industry is taking the first steps to provide lasting support for its talent.
