Sound Mind: Mental Health and Recovery in the Music Industry – Part 3 On Posted on May 29, 2025June 4, 2025 Part 3 — Building a Sustainable Career: Mental Health as a Long-Term InvestmentFor too long, the music industry ran on an unspoken rule: work until you can’t anymore. Tour until you collapse. Say yes to every opportunity. Work for free. Push through mental health struggles in silence. But today, more people – musicians, managers, techs, and staff – are realizing that survival isn’t enough. Sustainability is the new goal. At SIMS Foundation, we believe mental health can’t just be about people in crisis – it’s a long-term investment in a full career and a full life. The Old Model Isn’t Working AnymoreThings like relentless touring schedules, social media churn, high-risk work environments – these demands aren’t sustainable for most humans over the long haul. Burnout, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse aren’t signs of weakness. They’re signs that the system itself isn’t healthy. As conversations about mental health grow louder in the industry, more people are setting new standards for themselves. The definition of “making it” is shifting from fame at any cost to careers built on longevity, health, and community. The Importance of Support NetworksSustainability doesn’t happen alone. Peer networks, mental healthcare, and financial guidance are becoming crucial tools for career longevity in today’s music industry, not afterthoughts. Especially for people of color, LGBTQIA+ artists, women in music, and those working outside traditional major label structures, community support is essential for navigating the additional challenges they face. Investing in mental health isn’t selfish. It’s how careers are built to last. How SIMS Helps Build Sustainable CareersAt SIMS, we know it all starts with our clients’ ability to access affordable healthcare. Through services that help create meaningful connections like therapy, psychiatric services, and recovery support, we’re helping our music industry professionals, and their families, build healthier lives. We want their focus to be on what brings them joy. The most successful music industry careers can’t be powered by endless hustle anymore. We know they’re built by people equipped with the tools and strategies they need to stay healthy, creative, and connected over time. We’re proud to have been a part of making that possible in Austin’s music community for the past 30 years and are busy planning for the next 30 years, and beyond. PreviousPrevious post:Sound Mind: Mental Health and Recovery in the Music Industry – Part 2 Back to Main All Stories
Part 3 — Building a Sustainable Career: Mental Health as a Long-Term InvestmentFor too long, the music industry ran on an unspoken rule: work until you can’t anymore. Tour until you collapse. Say yes to every opportunity. Work for free. Push through mental health struggles in silence. But today, more people – musicians, managers, techs, and staff – are realizing that survival isn’t enough. Sustainability is the new goal. At SIMS Foundation, we believe mental health can’t just be about people in crisis – it’s a long-term investment in a full career and a full life. The Old Model Isn’t Working AnymoreThings like relentless touring schedules, social media churn, high-risk work environments – these demands aren’t sustainable for most humans over the long haul. Burnout, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse aren’t signs of weakness. They’re signs that the system itself isn’t healthy. As conversations about mental health grow louder in the industry, more people are setting new standards for themselves. The definition of “making it” is shifting from fame at any cost to careers built on longevity, health, and community. The Importance of Support NetworksSustainability doesn’t happen alone. Peer networks, mental healthcare, and financial guidance are becoming crucial tools for career longevity in today’s music industry, not afterthoughts. Especially for people of color, LGBTQIA+ artists, women in music, and those working outside traditional major label structures, community support is essential for navigating the additional challenges they face. Investing in mental health isn’t selfish. It’s how careers are built to last. How SIMS Helps Build Sustainable CareersAt SIMS, we know it all starts with our clients’ ability to access affordable healthcare. Through services that help create meaningful connections like therapy, psychiatric services, and recovery support, we’re helping our music industry professionals, and their families, build healthier lives. We want their focus to be on what brings them joy. The most successful music industry careers can’t be powered by endless hustle anymore. We know they’re built by people equipped with the tools and strategies they need to stay healthy, creative, and connected over time. We’re proud to have been a part of making that possible in Austin’s music community for the past 30 years and are busy planning for the next 30 years, and beyond.