Universal Music Group Unveils New Mental Health Fund with Music Health Alliance

Shortly after Chappell Roan’s Grammy acceptance speech highlighted the need for better mental health support in the music industry, Universal Music Group (UMG) has teamed up with the Music Health Alliance to introduce the Music Industry Mental Health Fund. This collaboration between the major music label and the healthcare nonprofit aims to provide extensive outpatient mental health services to music industry workers across the country, encompassing even those who are no longer active in the industry. The fund will mainly offer assistance through resources and recommendations and will also provide financial grants to help cover related expenses, as stated in a press release.

The new initiative is described as a broadening of an earlier alliance between UMG and the Music Health Alliance, known as the Priority Healthcare Advocacy Program, which offered UMG artists free and confidential health resources.

In her address at the Grammys, where she received the Best New Artist award, Roan called out the music industry for not providing sufficient financial and health support to artists, especially those who are still establishing their careers. Roan, who faced personal challenges with affording healthcare after her label dropped her in 2020, emphasized the need for record labels to view their artists as valuable workers deserving of fair wages and health benefits. She questioned the labels’ commitment to their artists, highlighting the imbalance in the relationship between artists and the industry profiting from their work.

Following her speech, music industry veteran Jeff Rabhan wrote a provocative piece in The Hollywood Reporter, in which he argued that record labels are neither obligated nor adequately equipped to implement the changes Roan advocated for. Rabhan also challenged Roan to act on her own suggestions. Responding to the challenge, Roan donated $25,000 to a fund supporting emerging artists. Inspired by her gesture, fellow artists like Charli XCX and Noah Kahan made similar contributions. Additionally, on the WTF With Marc Maron podcast, Ariana Grande advocated for record labels to include free therapy in the contracts of young artists.

Confronting Music’s Mental Health Crisis