Brendan Berry plays an integral role in providing vital support to the music community. As a Client Manager on MusiCares' Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services Team, he has helped with assistance and placement for inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment and psychotherapy, free nationwide recovery and mental health support groups, psychotherapy referrals, sober-safe spaces at events, distribution and training on the use of naloxone (a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses), and more.
During his first year at MusiCares, Brendan led the way in launching the "Musicians in Recovery" series in partnership with Sober 21. This series of panels brings artists together to share their personal experiences getting sober in the music world.
Below, learn more about Brendan's role at MusiCares and his dedication to normalizing conversations surrounding mental health and recovery.
What does your job entail?
When a music industry professional reaches out to MusiCares for help related to mental health or any addiction, I will help find them the best possible treatment. And, MusiCares will offer you a grant to pay for some, most, or all of your treatment!
Asking for help can be scary. I am part of a clinical team that will safely, confidentially and compassionately support you in finding the right treatment for you.
If you are a professional in the music industry and need help with mental health or addiction treatment, please give MusiCares a call or shoot us an email. If you think that you need help, but you aren't sure what you need, please give us a call. If you are scared or confused, give us a call.
What led you to a career in Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services at MusiCares?
When I was 21 years old, I experienced a series of traumatic events related to my abusive relationship with drugs and alcohol. Those events were the catalyst for me finding recovery.
My recovery journey was also a path to self-discovery. What I uncovered is that I have two primary passions in life: music and service to others. I spent my twenties composing music for film/tv and committing much of my time to supporting other young adults in their process of recovering from substance use disorder.
Eventually, I decided to combine my two passions and received my master's degree in Music Therapy from NYU. From there, I became a board certified and licensed music therapist, and worked in acute psychiatry in Brooklyn, New York and Los Angeles, all while continuing to compose and produce music.
In 2020, I became a GRAMMY-winning artist — which is wild. In 2022, a friend that works at MusiCares dropped a hint about a Client Manager position on the Mental Health Addiction Recovery Services team, and I heard, "Brendan! This is the Universe speaking! HERE IS YOUR DREAM JOB!" Now I get to help amazing people while doing important work.
What inspires you the most about working at MusiCares on the Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services Team?
Music is a powerful tool for communication. It allows artists to share their ups and downs; and gives listeners the opportunity to connect and relate. Then there is the immeasurable talent and hard work of the supporting casts who help bring us those powerful recordings and live music experiences.
We watch and hear of the struggles of various artists, but many more suffer in silence. Far too often we culturally normalize or glorify that suffering. Working with MusiCares allows me to play a part in normalizing wellness, recovery, and healthy living. I get to play a small but important part of shifting the narrative and supporting positive change in the music industry, one person at a time. When one person recovers or heals, we get to see it. We get to hear it. We get to feel it. That is what inspires me.
Do you have any advice for music professionals when it comes to prioritizing their mental health and/or sobriety while facing the industry's unique challenges?
Forming positive habits to prioritize the wellness of your whole self can help set you up for long term success: diet, exercise, therapy, sleep, support groups, relationships, religion, art, music, meditation, etc. Listen to your gut, but also listen to your tribe. Sometimes we can't see when we are struggling, and that's when we need to hear the perspective of others.
What keeps you motivated at work?
Every time someone calls or emails the Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Team asking about treatment, I light up. I get excited, because that person is exercising enormous courage to reach out and ask for help. That person is walking through discomfort and fear, and has the opportunity to embark on a life changing or life saving process, and I get to play a small part in their recovery/treatment journey.
What are you most proud of in the last year at MusiCares? What are you looking forward to?
In the last year of working at MusiCares, I have felt so grateful and proud to be a part of such an incredible team of healers, helpers, and overall rock stars! In particular, [fellow Client Manager] Carie Salas has been one of the best coworkers I could ask for.
I look forward to continuing to grow our "Musicians in Recovery" series. Normalizing conversations about recovery and sobriety is really important work, and we have had some brilliant artists share their salient and inspiring stories so far. I can't wait to share more of those experiences in the months to come!