Let's Talk About Mental Health: World Mental Health Day 2020

By Devin Renspie

Find a list of mental health resources by scrolling down the article or see them here.

 
 

When I work with artists, I sometimes feel like a large chunk of my job is to protect them from burnout and provide them encouragement when the industry gets them down. Personally, I have the same struggle that my artists do. Burnout is real, and some weeks I feel like a failure when I cannot get any doors to open for the talented people that I represent. Add in a pandemic, lost wages, cancelled shows, and double the work for half of the pay, and it's been a crazy combination of bad these days. One of the ways I am combatting the burnout and depression is carving out a consistent chunk of time for myself, and letting my staff and artists know that I am taking a mental break for my own sanity. I have decided to start taking 3 hours off on Tuesday mornings, and let me tell you… it has been life changing. Sometimes it's the little things we do for ourselves that can turn the tides.

-Erin Anderson

 
Mental Health Maggie.png
 

When talking to team members and artists this week about mental health, I was confronted with the reality that it’s very hard to share about our own journeys! The sentiment that kept coming up was, “I don’t feel equipped to share because I’m still on my mental health journey. I’m not perfect.” This resonated with me because that’s just it. None of us have our mental health completely in check and squared away because it’s an ongoing and ever-changing situation, but when we talk about this we realize that it’s OK not to have all of our shit together all the time. Lately, I’ve realized I’m at my best when I’m making a point to connect with others. It’s easy to get into a pattern of isolation during this wild year, but if you spontaneously call up a friend, chances are your day will get better. It’s OK to ask for help, and it’s OK to lean on your nearest and dearest.

-Maggie Adams

 
 

Everyone’s journey with mental health looks and feels a little different. One common denominator, however, is how real it is. Everyday, I’m learning something new about myself, my own mental health, and what that can look like for me. I’ve always struggled with allowing myself to feel any sort of emotion, ultimately suppressing what makes me human. I’m not always the happy and sunny person that I want those around me to believe I am, and that’s okay. For me, it’s working on being open, honest, vulnerable, and reaching out for help. It’s allowing myself the space to healthily process what I need to in my own time.

-Mackenzie Fey

 
 

My mental health is something that I've struggled with for a long time. While I have worked hard to get to where I am now, there are still days when I feel overwhelmed by feelings of depression and anxiety. With everything occurring in our country and in our world, I have found it especially important to make sure that I am carving out time for myself. For me, this looks like scheduling a few hours a week to get my thoughts out in the form of journaling or poetry/lyrics and to work on making or accomplishing something for myself, such as writing music. I also have found the need to remind myself to take the time to chat online with friends that I can't see in person and that it's okay to just exist for a bit without tending to any responsibilities. I think it's essential for us to stay focused on the things and people we love so that we can remember why we're here when times are tough.

-Devin Renspie

 

Mental Health Resources

 

Below are a few resources we’ve compiled that we’ve personally used and/or think could be useful to you. Find comfort in knowing that you’re never alone in what you’re going through and that these feelings are temporary. Never give up on yourself because you are worth more than the space you take up in this world.

 

Immediate Assistance/24-Hour Helplines

In case of an emergency, or if you or someone you know is at immediate risk of harming themselves or others, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

 
 

Nashville-Based Resources

  • Entertainment Health Services (EHS) - receive counseling, life coaching, and workshops from counselors who understand the demands of the entertainment industry.

  • Porter's Call - obtain short-term counseling, encouragement, and support geared toward touring artists at no charge.

  • Onsite Workshops - travel to a rustic retreat environment that offers six-day group programs, residential treatment, intensive individual counseling, adventure therapy, and professional training.

  • Empower Music Therapy - Adult support group (virtual) every 3rd Thursday of the month. Also offers music therapy and music lessons for mental health and transitional challenges of all ages

  • Nashville Therapist Resource Doc - short list of reputable Nashville therapists

 
 

Music Industry-Specific Resources

  • MusiCares - receive short-term financial assistance for personal or addiction needs.

  • Music Health Alliance - get health-related guidance and assistance in paying medical bills.

  • Backline Care - connect with a case manager who can direct you to mental health and wellness resources.

 
 

National Resources

 
 

Resources for Specific/Minority Populations

 
 

International Resources

  • OK Rehab - read about addiction treatment options for yourself or others

  • World Health Organization (WHO) - learn more about this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign and its focus on investment in mental health.

  • 7 Cups - get online self-help guides, support chat rooms, and online therapy.

 
 

Useful Apps

  • Calm (iOS | Android) - access guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing programs, and relaxing music for $12.99 a month.

  • Headspace (iOS | Android) - get guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing programs, and relaxing music for $12.99 a month (or $9.99 per year for students).

  • Simple Habit (iOS | Android) - access guided meditations focused on various life challenges for free.

  • Calm Harm (iOS | Android) - learn to manage self-harm urges with DBT-based principles and distractions for free.

  • Sanvello (iOS | Android) - learn CBT techniques to track and better deal with mental health concerns for free.

  • CBT Thought Diary (iOS | Android) - learn to reframe your thinking by tracking your thoughts and identifying cognitive distortions for free.

  • MY3 (iOS | Android) - develop a suicide safety plan and trusted network for times of crisis for free.

  • What’s Up (iOS | Android) - learn CBT and ACT methods to better cope with depression, anxiety, anger, stress, and more for free.

  • eMoods (iOS | Android) - track and learn to manage your moods for free. Designed specifically for those with bipolar disorder, but useful for everyone.

  • MoodTools (iOS | Android) - alleviate negative moods by utilizing a thought diary, activities, a suicide safety plan, and self-help guides for free.

  • Recovery Record (iOS | Android) - manage your recovery from disordered eating by recording your food, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors for free.

  • PTSD Coach (iOS | Android) - manage PTSD symptoms with information about professional care, a self-assessment for PTSD, opportunities to find support, and tools that can help users manage the stresses of daily life for free.

  • Nomo (iOS | Android) - track your sobriety/recovery from negative habits with clocks that show your milestones and the benefits you are receiving from recovery for free.

  • Lifesum (iOS | Android) - access resources to increase your overall health and fitness for free.