Mental Health Summit Held in Nashville
A summit addressing mental health within the songwriting community was recently held in Nashville, welcoming approximately 200 songwriters, artists, executives, and music students. The event was a component of an ongoing initiative offering resources and support for the emotional wellbeing of creators.
The summit took place at Belmont University’s Fisher Center in partnership with Backline and with support from BetterHelp. It provided a forum for conversation, resources, and shared experiences related to mental health in the music industry.
During the summit, a mental health guide for songwriters titled Between the Lines was introduced. Developed by Backline’s clinical team, the guide aims to provide songwriters with tools for maintaining wellbeing and a connection to their craft.
The event included a panel discussion, “The Unsung Heroes,” moderated by LB Cantrell and featuring songwriter and producer Gabe Simon, songwriter Emily Weisband, Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston, and Jessi Vaughn Stevenson of Perfect Game Creative. The panel addressed themes of rejection, comparison, and pressure within songwriting.
Christopher O’Reilly of Remedy Counseling & Wellness led an interactive session focused on emotional regulation techniques.
A panel titled “Creativity on Demand” explored maintaining a healthy lifestyle while sustaining creative inspiration, featuring Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi, singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun, artist Breland, and songwriter Barry Dean. The discussion was moderated by Debbie Carroll, Executive Director of Belmont’s Center for Mental Health in Entertainment.
The summit concluded with a conversation between songwriter Steph Jones and Alex Tamashunas, discussing identity, balance, and creative longevity.
“I think it is so deeply important to keep the conversation of mental health an open and honest one,” said Jones. “I’m really glad I had the opportunity to share my experiences at this event and hear others’ as well.”
Representatives from MusiCares, Porter’s Call, Onsite, Family Alliance in Music, and Belmont’s Center for Mental Health in Entertainment presented available resources to attendees.
A dedicated wellness space, facilitated by Backline and BetterHelp, offered opportunities for connection with wellness practitioners and respite. Backline also provided information regarding its Case Management program, Global Resource Hub, and B-LINE, a 24/7 crisis and support line. BetterHelp offered continued access to mental health support.
