In response to rising rates of emotional distress and suicide risk across the music industry, MusiCares has partnered with The Jed Foundation (JED) to launch a groundbreaking digital microsite providing suicide prevention and mental health resources tailored to music professionals. Launched today, the new microsite serves as a dedicated hub for articles, self-guided learning and support tools tailored to the realities of life in music. Resources on the site address issues such as financial instability, grief, isolation, the pressures of touring, and the emotional toll of overwork.
The site also features a self-paced suicide prevention training course, created by JED's mental health and suicide prevention experts, for artists, crew members, managers, and support teams. Built in a microlearning format, the course guides participants through key areas and important practices, including recognizing warning signs, starting supportive conversations, responding when someone is in distress, and understanding when to escalate concerns and connect to available resources. Grounded in real-world touring environments and designed with a practical, peer-to-peer tone, the training equips music professionals with clear, actionable steps to strengthen a culture of care across the industry. Participants will have the opportunity to earn an industry-recognized certificate of completion.
For those in the music community, the hustle and irregular schedule surrounding the industry can make it challenging to check in on oneself and others. According to MusiCares' 2025 Wellness In Music Survey, 11.4 percent of music professionals reported suicidal ideation in the last year, up from 8 percent in 2024 and more than double the rate seen in the general U.S. population. The data also shows that one in six respondents lost a colleague to suicide in the past year. These findings underscore an urgent need for culturally competent and industry-specific mental health support.
MusiCares is continuing to support the music community with the recently launched 2026 Wellness In Music Survey, which is open now through Friday, April 17. The survey is available in English and in Spanish. Help spread the word using our Wellness In Music Survey Toolkit. Learn more about the 2026 Wellness In Music Survey.
For MusiCares, the leading charity supporting the health and well-being of the music community founded by the Recording Academy in 1989, this partnership builds on a long-standing effort to normalize conversations around mental health in the music industry. By working to reduce stigma around both seeking support and supporting others through emotional challenges, MusiCares continues to create a space where music professionals feel safe reaching out. As the leading expert in the care of music professionals, the organization's programs are uniquely designed to reflect the pressures, rhythms and realities of a career in music, because no two industries experience stress in quite the same way.
"The numbers are heartbreaking, but they tell a story we cannot ignore," MusiCares Executive Director Theresa Wolters said. "When 11.4 percent of our peers report thoughts of suicide, it's not just a statistic, it's a call to action. The music community is one of passion, connection and creative brilliance, yet too many are suffering in silence. We owe it to music people to ensure the resources and support they receive are evidence-informed, accessible and grounded in the realities of this industry. By partnering with JED, we're helping to change that reality through best-in-class expertise. These new resources will give music professionals the knowledge and tools to recognize when someone is struggling, have real conversations about mental health, and find the help they need for this growing problem."
"Music can reduce stress, boost mood, and build community, but the people who make it all happen can also experience mental health challenges," Dr. Katie Hurley, JED's vice president of community initiatives, said. "We're proud to partner with MusiCares to create mental health and suicide prevention resources specifically for artists, crews and teams, rooted in evidence-informed practices and tailored to the diverse realities of life on and off the road. Together, we're providing support that can help reduce suicide."
This collaboration reflects MusiCares' ongoing commitment to serve as the music industry's largest safety net for professionals facing crisis. With JED's decades of suicide-prevention expertise and MusiCares' direct connection to the music community, the partnership bridges a critical gap, turning evidence into action for an industry that has long struggled with access to care. Together, the organizations are proactively building a future where no one in music has to navigate mental health challenges alone.
This initiative is supported by Spotify.