Category: Uncategorized

Tips from the Improv Community to Improve Mental Health (Five rules that can be applied to everyday life)

(Original article published in the NPR Life Kit – link to full article below) Studies show that creatives, including those in the performing arts such as music, theater, and comedy, are more likely to face mental health challenges than the general population. While SIMS Foundation works directly with the music industry and their dependent family […]

SIMS Foundation Announces New Partnership with the Travis County DA’s Office Focused on Harm Reduction

SIMS Foundation is proud to announce a new partnership with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and the Red River Cultural District (RRCD) to raise awareness of the recent surge in overdose deaths in Austin. The partnership was formed just days after the U.S. overdose deaths topped 100,000 in one year.  In 2020, over 240 […]

My Friends Call Me RoboKate

DISCLAIMER: This blog post describes an intense medical procedure in graphic detail. My name is Kate Howard. I am a musician. I am 57 years old. On May 14th, I will release my debut CD, “The Best Medicine”. My age is not the only thing that distinguishes me from my peers in the music industry. […]

Pricey Car Repairs: How Elliott Smith’s Sister Found the SIMS Foundation

SIMS Foundation Board Member Ashley Welch is an Austin musician who plays in bluegrass band Brand New Key, co-owner of recording studio Crosspick Studio, and substance use recovery specialist at UT Austin. 

In our latest blog post, Ashley speaks about how the loss of her brother led her to discover SIMS Foundation and discusses how she’s seen our organization impact the music community.

An Interview with Casey Seymour: Making the Best of 2020 with SIMS, Therapy, and Virtual Community

Austin musician Casey Seymour cites therapy through SIMS, discovering sobriety, and a helpful community of other artists as helping him rediscover his identity as an artist. SIMS Development and Marketing Coordinator James Whelan interviewed Casey to learn more about how he wants to help spread a message of wellbeing for others.

Moving Towards Your Highest Potential

Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate improvements made by those who manage other health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma and heart disease.

Breaking Down Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me

Patty Lynn is a singer-songwriter who performs as one half of The Wind and the Wave, and the latest addition to the SIMS Board of Directors. Here, she discusses her road to therapy and how she got involved with SIMS.

Tips to Stay Recovery Focused in a COVID World

Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate improvements made by those who manage other health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma and heart disease.

Celebrate Recovery

Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate improvements made by those who manage other health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma and heart disease.

Suicide Awareness in Minority Communities

As suicide rates rise to the second leading cause of death for persons 10-34 in Texas, our communities are looking to find ways to build awareness around a topic that many only just realized existed.

In our community, we all deal with mental fatigue from everyday obstacles and social injustices that make us feel alone in our thoughts and situations.

Q&A With Austin Musician Scott Strickland

Austin musician Scott Strickland had an open conversation with SIMS about his music career, mental health, and under representation of Black musicians in Austin.

The Silver Lining Does Exist, and it’s called Post Traumatic Growth.

Licensed Professional Counselor and SIMS Provider Ashley Logan, discusses the emergence of Post Traumatic Growth, a process of positive changes that result from life crises or traumas.

(26.2) Miles for Musicians

SIMS supporter Chantel Ortiz is running the 2019 Austin Marathon to honor the memory of her cousin Caleb and raise money for SIMS. Here, she talks about the hope Caleb inspired in others throughout his life and why she chose to give back to mental health in Austin music, one step at a time.

My Story of Life Recovery

Musician and entrepreneur Gabe Vasquez talks about his path to sobriety and how SIMS has helped him do a complete “life recovery,” so he can now help others.

Processing Mental Health and Addiction With Music

Hip hop artist Amelia Cowen, aka AC Aftermath, discusses how music helps her process difficult feelings and how she hopes the music community will start talking more openly about mental health.