In partnership with online therapy program, Better Help, several names in music announced a major change last week in conjunction with World Mental Health Day. Tour Support, a new nonprofit program, helps artists, crews and vendors get access to mental health care through online counseling, no matter their schedule.
The movement comes after several prominent losses in the music industry and was created by Steve Richards, a former touring professional. Richards immediately paired with Friends At Work, a socially-driven management company with a robust client roster.
In a recent press release, Founder and CEO of Friends At Work, Ty Stiklorius shared her support for the movement:
“I was deeply struck by the recent deaths of Chris Cornell, guitarist Neal Casal and the dozens of touring staff we have tragically lost,” Stiklorius says. “This is a first step to provide resources, trainings and counseling opportunities to ultimately change the culture on the road.”
Along with support from Better Help, Tour Support has shared that Live Nation has partnered with the program, donating to help the program launch in its first year.
Although the program is new, it comes with a long list of celebrity endorsements, who have all supported the launch.
Celebrity Support:
John Legend, Ludacris, Steve Aoki, MARINA, Grace VanderWaal, Rick Springfield, Lindsey Stirling, Hobo Johnson, Ana Tijoux, Boy Pablo, The National, AJR, Raphael Saadiq, Sofi Tukker, Mashrou Leila, Jake Shears, John Mark McMillan, Mike Birbiglia, Brett Kissel, My Morning Jacket, José González, Scott Helman, Bebel Gilberto, Kevin Morby, Madame Gandhi, Billy Howerdel, Caitlyn Smith, Pink Martini, Riley Clemmons, Cut Copy, Jarina De Marco, Helado Negro, Grace Weber, Ruth-Anne Cunningham, The War & Treaty, Gary Gulman, The Aquadolls, Ali Walker, William Fitzimmons, Stars, Cori Marks, Geographer, Caribou/Daphni, The Barr Brothers, VOILÀ, Steve A. Clark, Xenia Rubinos, One Bad Son, ÌFÉ, Frawley, Speelberg, Eddie Berman and Katell Keineg
For more information about the Tour Support Initiative, click here.
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