Tour Support Program Offers Mental Health Tools For Touring Professionals

Tour Support, a new nonprofit program, has been established to help touring professionals receive mental health and wellness support and tools. The program has been launched today, on World Mental Health Day, with backing from such organizations as Live Nation, Friends At Work and WME by LightHopeLife, a nonprofit suicide prevention and awareness foundation in the wake of a disturbing number of musician suicides in recent years.

Tour Support provides “training materials and resources for touring professionals, to build a stronger support system for them while they are on the road, a tool chest for when they are back home and a community with a greater awareness of the crucial need for mental health support.” Organizations will decide who has access to the paid services and for how long and all designees will receive instructions for how to participate. BetterHelp, the world’s largest provider of online counseling services, will power the plan in which members will fill out a questionnaire to get matched with an experienced and accredited counselor. Participating organizations will be charged monthly only for the members that use the service and those using the service will remain anonymous to the organization.

A $250,000 fund has been established by BetterHelp for independent artists and tours to apply for free services. John Legend, Ludacris, Steve Aoki, Grace VanderWaal, Rick Springfield, Kevin Morby, The Barr Brothers, The War & Treaty and Cut Copy are among artists endorsing the Tour Support organization. “Artists and crews spend their lives on the road, bringing shows to life for fans around the world. But that dedication can come with sacrifice,” said Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino in a statement. “It’s critical that we provide support to ensure that everyone can maintain sound mind and body while on the road. Live Nation is proud to join in providing new resources for mental health and wellness for the behind-the-scenes heroes who make it all happen.”

“Online counseling is a great solution to people on-the-go and those with hectic schedules, so it’s a natural fit for musicians and the people who work with them,” added BetterHelp founder and president Alon Matas. “Tour Support’s initiative can be life-changing for so many people, and it aligns perfectly with our mission to make professional counseling accessible anytime, anywhere. We’re proud and excited to partner with an organization that proactively addresses the mental health needs of their industry.”

Head here for more information about Tour Support. Watch the Tour Support announcement: