As an independent artist, the pressure to create, perform, and promote can take a serious toll. According to the 2025 MusiCares Wellness in Music Survey, nearly 12 percent of musicians surveyed reported serious thoughts of suicide — an increase from 8 percent in the 2024 survey and more than double the rate among the general U.S. population. Behind every release, tour, and late-night session, there’s a real person who deserves real support.
CD Baby believes in helping independent artists and employees of the organizations that serve them get access to actionable mental health resources. Below is a collection of five reputable organizations, each offering a variety of services to music industry workers — from 24/7 helplines and global resources to personal counseling and case management. You can get started by browsing this list and always remember, reach out when you need help.
1. MusiCares
Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989, MusiCares is the most established mental health and wellness organization in the music industry.
They offer free emotional support groups (including dedicated identity-based groups), referrals for counseling and psychiatric care, financial assistance for treatment, and addiction recovery programming. In times of crisis, MusiCares can fund treatment directly and coordinate continued aftercare.
Financial assistance for counseling and other services requires documentation of at least five years in the industry, or six commercially released recordings. But many preventive resources are free and available to all.
Get help: musicares.org/get-help
2. Backline
Backline is a free case management service that connects music industry professionals and their families with vetted mental health providers who understand this line of work.
One-on-one case managers build personalized care plans and refer you to therapists with genuine music industry experience. The case management program is for US residents, but Backline maintains a global resource hub with international referrals and a peer support group open to the worldwide music industry.
There’s also B-LINE, a 24/7 crisis line staffed by counselors who understand the unique pressures musicians face.
Get help: backline.care | Crisis line: call 1-855-BLINE99 or text 254-639
3. Music Health Alliance (MHA)
Founded in 2013, the Music Health Alliance helps music industry professionals navigate healthcare with the personal support of a dedicated advocate.
Their Music Industry Mental Health Program & Fund offers personalized therapist and psychiatrist recommendations, mental health grants of up to $1,000 for counseling and outpatient psychiatric services, care coordination, and proactive follow-up planning.
For those who don’t need financial assistance, a partnership with Project Healthy Minds provides immediate access to vetted therapists and support groups. MHA’s team responds to all inquiries within 24 hours.
Available to anyone who has made a living in music for at least three years, including spouses and dependents.
Get help: musichealthalliance.com/mental-health-care
4. The Mental Health Coalition
The Mental Health Coalition (MHC) is a nonprofit alliance of leading mental health organizations, brands, and advocates united around one goal: ending the stigma that stops people from seeking help.
Their searchable Resource Library connects anyone — anywhere in the world — to tools and support for anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, and more, with resources tailored to specific communities including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals.
While MHC is not music-industry-specific, their breadth and global accessibility make them a valuable first stop for artists who need a starting point or simply a language for what they’re going through.
Explore resources: thementalhealthcoalition.org | Crisis text line: text COALITION to 741741
5. Amber Health
Founded in 2020 by Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer, Amber Health is a full-service mental health and wellness provider built exclusively for the music industry.
From therapy and crisis support to on-tour care and wellness education, their services are designed to meet artists where they are — physically, emotionally, and culturally. Their conviction is simple: mental and emotional wellbeing aren’t optional for a sustainable music career — they’re essential.
Get help: amberhealth.co
What to do if you’re in crisis right now
No matter where you are, help is available:
- Backline B-LINE (US): Call 1-855-BLINE99 or text 254-639 — music industry counselors, 24/7
- Mental Health Coalition Crisis Text Line: Text COALITION to 741741
- Elsewhere: The International Association for Suicide Prevention maintains a global directory of crisis centres
You don’t have to be in full crisis to reach out. Overwhelmed, burned out, or just not okay — that’s enough of a reason to call.
Your wellbeing comes first
The music industry has historically made it hard to ask for help. Long hours, financial uncertainty, the pressure to always be “on” — it adds up. But the conversation is changing, and the organizations above are proof that the industry is showing up for the people who make it run.
For more on navigating the mental and emotional side of a music career, check out the full Independent Musician’s Guide to Mental Health on the CD Baby Blog.