Members of the music community often lack the standard benefits that so many other professionals have available to them. MusiCares takes an inclusive and holistic approach to the health and well-being of the music community with clinics, programs, and support groups focused on preventative, physical, and mental health care — all year long.
As we celebrate National Wellness Month this August, here are some examples of how MusiCares works to support the music community's holistic health and wellness year-round.
Women's Wellness
Every March, in honor of Women's History Month, the MusiCares Health and Human Services Team hosts a variety of programs focused on women in music and the need for a more diverse and inclusive industry.
Past programs in the month of March have explored topics including personal growth as a woman in the music industry, women in recovery, the challenges that women of color experience working in and out of recovery, battling imposter syndrome as a woman in music, and more.
Beyond the month of March, MusiCares supports women in music year-round with several programs and services including our weekly Women's Support Group, ongoing women's health screenings, and free weekly yoga.
Read More: 5 Ways MusiCares Supports Women Year-Round
Financial Wellness
Every April, in honor of Financial Literacy Month, MusiCares produces a variety of programs and social messaging in promotion of financial well-being and improving financial literacy.
Members of the music community historically face lower than average annual incomes, less access to healthcare, and inconsistent paychecks. Educating the music community on how to prioritize their financial wellness can impact their mental and physical health, alleviating stress and anxiety.
Past programs in the month of April have explored topics including financial wellness in the Latinx community, money management, the psychology of money, musician liability insurance, affordable housing, and more.
MusiCares has also partnered with Life's Jam to offer one-on-one financial coaching to eligible music professionals year-round. Work with a financial coach to identify financial pain points and execute a manageable plan. Eligible music professionals can also access YNAB, a simple and accessible money management tool. YNAB also offers free educational blogs, workshops and community groups that further support your goals to empower and sustain financial health.
Read More: Provider Spotlight: Anthea Perkinson On The Importance Of Financial Wellness
Mental Health and Wellness
Every May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, MusiCares focuses on creating awareness within the music community on the importance of prioritizing your mental health.
Past programs in the month of May have explored topics including suicide prevention, stress management, breathing techniques, disordered eating, and more.
Beyond the month of May, MusiCares supports the music community and mental health year-round through our free weekly support groups, free weekly yoga, and financial assistance and resources for therapy, coaching, psychiatric services, and more.
Read More: 5 Ways MusiCares Supports Mental Health and Wellness Year-Round
Inclusive Wellness
Every June, MusiCares celebrates Inclusivity Month. MusiCares programs and clinics cover an extensive range of topics that speak to the specific needs of various communities in promotion of inclusive, holistic wellness.
Previously, programs in the month of June have covered topics including Black mental health, inclusion in the workplace, allyship for the LGBTQIA+ community, and more.
MusiCares continually prioritizes creating a safe and inclusive environment for anyone in the music community to receive help. Beyond the month of June, our Women's Support Group, LGBTQIA+ Music Community Support Group, Black Music Community Support Group, and ongoing health clinics run year-round.
Read More: 5 Ways MusiCares Supports the Transgender Community Year-Round
Wellness in Recovery
Every September, MusiCares amplifies our continued addiction and recovery support services through National Recovery Month. The music community faces unique challenges and threats to sobriety, and MusiCares has a network of programs and services dedicated to all stages of the recovery process, including pre-contemplation.
Previously, programs in the month of September have explored topics including mental health and recovery, staying sober on tour, addiction, treatment practices, and more.
Year-round, MusiCares offers free cyber recovery support groups, monetary support for addiction treatment, and ongoing Safe Harbor Rooms and NARCAN Trainings at music festivals across the country.
Read More: How MusiCares Supports the Recovery Community Year-Round
Hearing Health and Wellness
Every October, in honor of Protect Your Hearing Month, MusiCares hosts a variety of programs dedicated to the importance of hearing health and its impact on your holistic health.
Musicians are more likely to suffer from tinnitus and irreparable hearing loss as a result of noise exposure and damaging decibel levels. The music community's livelihood is their hearing, and in many ways protection is the only treatment.
Programs and social messaging in the month of October have explored topics including hearing conservation in music, hearing health and its effect on mental health, tinnitus and more.
MusiCares visits several festivals across the country every year to host hearing clinics, offering free custom ear plugs to eligible professionals — open to artists and crew only, while supplies last.
MusiCares has also partnered with Tuned to offer free hearing healthcare to eligible music professionals year-round. Through Tuned, music professionals can access world-class virtual hearing diagnostic and screening services, all available virtually. Tuned audiologists are leading experts in the unique needs of music professionals, including hearing loss prevention, amplification, tinnitus and disorder management, in-ear monitors, and more.
Read More: Composer Richard Einhorn Highlights Hearing Loss's Impact on Mental Health
Other Health and Wellness
MusiCares offers nationwide preventive vision, dental and "Musicians as Athletes" (physical therapy and/or chiropractic) clinics to eligible music professionals on a biannual basis.
MusiCares has also partnered with Onpoint Nutrition, offering a team of highly skilled online dieticians who are dedicated to empowering you with both knowledge and skills to build sustainable habits unique to your everyday life whether in your day-to-day, or on tour.
Through our partnership with Optum Quit 4 Life, MusiCares can help music industry professionals quit smoking, vaping, and other forms of tobacco addiction through structured support.
MusiCares' Resilience on the Road Toolkit is a living suite of resources including daily actions, recorded panel discussions, and tools for accessible mental, physical, and medical wellness support to foster and sustain mental and physical wellness among music professionals on the road.