Brad Cole- Mental Health in Music

Sarah Harralson speaks with Brad Cole, a Clinical Associate at Backline, which is a non-profit that connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources. Brad has been a member of the clinical staff since 2020 and helps run the Case Management department, and co-facilitates Backline's mindful grieving group. Brad is also a practicing therapist in Denver, Colorado where he works predominantly with adults, men, and music industry professionals. He specializes in working with clients experiencing grief, shame, and major life transitions. 

You can find more about Backline here:

https://backline.care/

Email Backline here to find out if you are eligible for free mental health resources: 
[e-mail]

Episode Transcript

(00:06):
Hi everyone, Thank you as alwaysfor tuning into the Mind Your Music Business
podcast. My guest here tonight isBrad Cole, a clinical associate at Backline,
a nonprofit that connects music industry professionalsand their families with mental health and
wellness resources. Brad has been amember of the clinical staff since twenty twenty

(00:30):
and helps run the case management department. Co facilitates Backlines Mindful Grieving group as
well. Brad is also a practicingtherapist in Denver, Colorado, where he
works predominantly with adults, men,and music industry professionals. He specializes in
working with clients experiencing grief, shame, and major life transitions. Now Backlines

(00:56):
programs are free for artist, manager, agents, promoters, labels, crew
and even family members of music industryprofessionals. So Brad, thank you so
much for joining me on my podcasttoday to talk about mental health in the
music industry, which I think isa very important topic to shed light on

(01:18):
for musicians. How are you today, I'm doing good, doing good,
especially after that amazing introduction. Thankyou so much. Yeah, so grateful
to be here with you. Yeah, thank you for being here. I'd
like to start off by just knowinga little bit about your own personal story
of how you became involved with mentalhealth as a career and specifically what led

(01:42):
you to want to help musicians andmusic professionals and mental health. Yeah.
Absolutely, Well, you know,my journey really started back and when I
was a young kid and experienced myown bouts of depression and idality anxiety,
which still lives in me today.And you know, I didn't realize until

(02:06):
I was in my mid twenties thatnot everybody lives that way, and that
you know, it's I was experiencingsymptoms of you know, mental health struggles
or mental illness and never felt likeI had anybody to talk to, particularly
like a trusting mail that I couldspeak with. And along the way,
I just kind of found myself workingin customer service or case management or doing

(02:30):
something that was always kind of forwardfacing towards clients or or individuals. So
in time, you know, Ijust kind of thought, like, where
do I want to take this?What are my passions? Mental health always
at the top for me, andso I decided to take a leap of
faith and applied for CU Denver's master'sprogram and counseling, and it just kind

(02:53):
of clicked right away that I hadfound exactly what I was supposed to do.
So that's kind of how I gotinto mental health. And I also
along the way had incredible therapists whojust kind of inspired me to follow my
passion, which is to help folksthe way I have. And then music
industry wise, you know, incollege and in my early twenties, I

(03:16):
had lots of friends that were inthe music industry on the production side,
management side, and I just reallynoticed the toll it took on their mental
health ability to be available for theirloved ones, the burnout, the exhaustion.
But then just like the kind ofthe industry itself is just on a

(03:37):
fast track all the time, sothere's no time to kind of jump off.
So I actually went to the JeffAustin tribute show back in twenty nineteen,
and that's where I heard about backLine. They were promoting the show,
and I'll get in I'm sure we'llget into the story behind back Line
a little bit, but that tributeshow was something very special for me.

(04:00):
Was a really impactful musician in mylife, especially as I moved up in
the bluegrass scene and in my earlytwenties, So you know, I went
to that show, heard about Backline, and I was in school at the
time, so I reached out asquickly as possible to just say, hey,
I'm here to volunteer whatever y'all need. And then six months later spoke
with the clinical director and our casemanagement director, Hallie Lincoln, and it

(04:25):
just really felt like the perfect fitand it's just been kind of building since
then. That's amazing and I'm soglad you found your perfect fit for working
in mental health. And looking atbacklines website today, some of the statistics
on the site sadly did not surpriseme. A couple of these were seventy

(04:46):
three percent of independent music makers havesaid they have experienced stress and anxiety or
depression when creating music. And nearlyhalf of the music industry does not have
health insurance. And if you don'thave health insurance, you most likely can't
afford therapy. So a lot ofpeople in this fast track industry are not

(05:10):
able to even afford or find affordabletherapy for their mental health, which is
which is pretty disappointing. It reallyis. I mean, I think access
to care has always been an issuein our country, particularly around costs and
health insurance and whether your health insurancewill even cover health behavioral health. And

(05:31):
then the music industry is such aniche where they're like, you know,
they're touring, they're all over theplace, they have strange schedules, they
can't go nine to five like atypical person you know, might be able
to go see a doctor midday.And then also just the kind of ups
and downs of income, especially asyou're on your way up for bands,
crew members, managers, bus drivers, anybody you know, work is contract

(05:56):
based often and just kind of weget it when we get it, so
we don't know what our income is, we don't know we're eligible for Medicaid,
and so that's really also a partof our mission really is to be
that resource hub for music industry professionalsand their families. We have tons of
partnerships with organizations that can help withhealthcare. We have partnerships with organizations that

(06:19):
can provide financial resources as we knowthat those are really pretty large barriers for
folks in the industry accessing care.Yeah, and when a lot of people
think about health insurance, they're mostlythinking about their physical health. But you
know, when you think about it, if you get hurt on the road

(06:40):
and you can't work for a month, well you're not just physically hurt,
but maybe you're also mentally going throughsomething. If you're physically hurt, you
can't be on the road, youcan't make income. So I think physical
and mental health often go hand inhand in that case too. Oh absolutely.
I mean mind and body are justsuch connected in that way. And

(07:01):
you know, I as a asa therapist myself, I often noticed that,
like a lot of physical symptoms peopleexperience actually stem from mental health challenges
or experiences of trauma and so butwe get so stuck in like, yeah,
just the physical, like you know, just focusing on like the elements
of our body, but the brainis also part of the body as well.

(07:24):
Yeah. Yeah. And as faras mental health resources, I feel
like there's a good amount of resourcesout there now, not as much or
there's more than there were before.And it's more of a recent it's more
of recent resources, and I feellike they should have been out there earlier

(07:45):
for musicians. So how did Backlinecome about? I know you joined in
twenty twenty, but do you knowthe story about how Backline came about?
I'm really only familiar with Music HealthAlliance and some of those other resources.
Yeah, so, you know,back in twenty nineteen, what was kind

(08:09):
of happening is as all our friendswere dying from mental health challenges, mental
illness, suicide, substance abuse,and we kind of got to a place
when you know, enough was enough, and our co founders all banded together
to put together a you know,a resource hub for music industry professionals just

(08:30):
at first to get therapy, youknow, to find those those you know,
the access to therapists that understand theindustry or that you know, have
availability except their insurance. And thentwenty twenty HIT and COVID came around and
really, you know, the musicended for a moment and everything just kind
of came to a screeching halt,which really created a space for us to

(08:52):
have to adjust to what was goingon with the industry, and that is
where the development of our free programhave come about. One of them being
our case management service, one beingour excuse me, our backline communities,
which are support groups, and thenwe also have a ton of wellness resources
that are free to backline you know, backline folks that excuse me, folks,

(09:16):
that come through back line. Therewe go awesome. Yeah, I
definitely want to talk about a fewof those different resources that you offer,
so such as yourself as a casemanager, you can create a mental health
plan tailored to someone's needs, theirlocation, and financial resources. So what
specifically can you help someone with theirif they, you know, feel like

(09:39):
they need a case manager? Yes, absolutely so. Well, really,
the case management program is designed tobe that first, really soft gentle landing
space for folks to access mental healthand wellness resources. You know, a
lot of first time therapy as aswe were just talking about, you know,
the access hasn't been there, soit's a lot of people who don't

(10:00):
even know how to navigate it.So we kind of offered that space for
folks. They can go through ourwebsite. It's really quick to fill out
a form. They'll receive an emailto schedule a call with one of our
case managers, and then what thatcall kind of looks like is it's a
one on one assessment call, verybrief assessment call, usually about fifteen to
twenty minutes, just kind of dependingon what we get into. And that

(10:24):
is where we first kind of givean idea about backline and what the resources
we have are. We provide themspace to kind of let us know what's
been going on, what resources mightbe helpful, where they're struggling, the
points of care that they're missing.We ask them some questions about, you
know, their health insurance, theirability to pay, any other things they're

(10:46):
needing, assistance with medical care,healthcare of any kind, or accessing healthcare,
you know, even legal issues.We have partnerships with those, so
we're really like giving them the spaceto let us know what they're looking for,
and we asked the follow up questionsto make sure that we know who
would be a best fit for them. And then a kind of next steps
from there is we actually have anetwork of therapists across the country, a

(11:09):
really robust referral network almost up toa thousand providers, which is a really
big deal for us. I'm justthinking when we when I started, I
think there was maybe one hundred andfifty, so it's just really tremendous growth
there. We have a licensed professionalavailable on every one of the fifty states.
We have life coaches that are ableto provide care well folks around the

(11:31):
road or if they're traveling internationally,excuse me. And so what we do
once we've we've spoken to the individualsis we take, you know, what
they're looking for. If it's atherapist, we go to our referral network
filter it down so we're you know, ability to pay, where they're located,
what they're looking to work on.So they were really kind of doing

(11:52):
that leg work for them of findingthe best possible fit of therapists. And
then additionally, we have innet networkall sorts of partner organizations like Music Health
Alliance, music Cares, all sortsof lovely organizations that provide you know,
all sorts of services. So MusicHealth Alliance being an incredible one that helps
folks navigate the healthcare world, accessinghealth you know, medical care, that

(12:18):
kind of stuff. Music Cares isa really amazing organization helps with financial resources.
So we're kind of taking what theygive us, going to our resource
hub and really trying to tailor aresource care plan for them that really,
you know, fits their needs thebest. That's so great, and then
it's a relief of them because theydon't have to do all of that research

(12:39):
and trying to find people and otherresources out there. Yes, and I
mean, I know myself, Like, finding a therapist for most folks is
a real challenge. You know,you go to like you live in New
York or Denver, La, googletherapists my area. You're going to find
millions of options. Just be likeso overwhelmed and who accepts my and so

(13:00):
you know, we really take pridein doing that leg work for folks to
really make it far more accessible andway less overwhelming. Yeah, and I
also love that these resources are alsoprovided to the families of the music professionals,
because people don't realize that, youknow, the life of a music
professional does impact the families, likewhen their spouse or a parent is always

(13:26):
on the road for their job.It's I kind of like to compare it
to the military, when someone ofthe military's gone, you know for most
of the year. That's the samewith you know, a musician who's on
the road all the time. Theydon't get to be with their family for
most of the year a lot ofthe time. So you know, the
family definitely needs mental health resources aswell when they're feeling down and depressed when

(13:52):
they don't get to see their family. Yes, absolutely, It's that is
such a great comparison with veterans justbecause or folks that are in the military
because there's also like they can't youknow, music industry professionals that they're on
the road, they're working non stuff, they've got like little bits and pieces
to reach out let you know they'reokay. But that is going to leave

(14:13):
folks at home feeling lonely, rejected, abandoned, all sorts of things that
come up that are like very unusual. And then you know, the re
entry process is always difficult. Youknow, the family members so excited their
dad, mom, sibling is cominghome. That person coming home that is
absolutely burnt out, exhausted and doesn'thave space to be that person that they're

(14:39):
looking for right absolutely, So I'mso glad that back Line gives families and
professionals these resources to go through allof their emotions and feelings through this process
and career. And I saw thatthere's also backline communities, which I think
is such a great resource where youcan connect with a community of music industry

(15:03):
professionals around the world. So ledby licensed mental health providers like yourself.
These communities meet online, providing asafe space to talk. And I think
this is important just to feel likeyou have a community of people around you
going through the same thing, andjust a safe space to talk with other

(15:24):
musicians and see how everyone's you know, coping with their own touring schedule.
Yes. Absolutely, that's actually areally great segue because one of our backline
communities is called in Tune, andit's for partners, family members that have
folks that go out on the road. And yes, like all these communities

(15:46):
are really spaces for folks to gatherthat are run by you know, licensed
clinicians, but also folks who havean industry excuse me, industry experience or
at least a family member in theindustry. Really like to make sure that
not only are we holding a containerfor what you know is being talked about,
but also making sure that it's ledby folks that get it. And

(16:08):
so the three communities that we havegoing right now is in Tune, the
one about navigating relationships with touring professionalsor with touring family members. We have
the Green Room, which is goingto be a just a general support group
type of thing that runs every Tuesdayafternoon. In Tune runs every Thursday afternoons.

(16:30):
And then lastly have Waves, whichis mind body grieving for the music
industry, which I co facilitate myself, which is just a really beautiful space
to be held in your grief andhold others in their grief. You know,
grief's quite the monster of an emotionalexperience to have, especially when you're
out of the road or feeling disconnectedor not knowing to go. So,
you know, all of these communitiesare really special spaces for people to connect.

(16:56):
Yeah, that's very nice because youhave your individual needs with your case
manager or therapist, but it's alsonice just to have a room of people
going through the same thing to talkto each other about it and vent.
Absolutely, yes, And you know, I think as a therapist myself,
I also like really promote for allmy clients and anybody I chat with that

(17:17):
you know, healing has to happenin community. We as humans like have
to exist in community. We're literallywired to be in community. So I
think, you know, we asmaybe American culture doesn't maybe do the best
about, you know, enhancing community, especially around healing, but I think
it's so so critical to heal incommunity as well. Yeah. Absolutely,

(17:40):
And so what are some of theother free mental health and wellness resources that
back line offers. I know youtalked a little bit about getting connected with
legal aid and therapist, and itlooks like you back Line also has subscriptions
and discounts for other resources for members. Yes, absolutely so all sorts of

(18:00):
different like partnerships that we have withwellness organizations, like one being the Entertainment
Community Fund. That's one that folkscan go to that are anybody in the
entertainment community. That's where they canget help through housing, legal assistance,
that kind of stuff. And thenwe also have like you know, regional

(18:23):
organizations like the SIMS Foundation in Austin, Texas, who's able to provide financial
support and other mental health and wellnessresources for folks located in Austin. We
also have a partnership with breath Work, the app for your phone where you
can kind of just you know,regulate or regulate your your nervous system while
out of the road. Those arejust a few. All of them are

(18:45):
going to be on our website.We have a part or like a section
all for wellness offerings, and youknow, really we're we're always looking to
boost our partnerships there as well andany respect because really we want to be
that one stop shop for folks sothey don't have to be going back to
Google or their you know, theinternet to find healthcare, housing assistance,

(19:10):
food assistance. You know, theseare partnerships that we've developed over time.
And going back to what you weresaying about healing through community, it kind
of reminded me about how music ingeneral is so healing itself, but people
working in it it can make themfeel a little bit down. So it

(19:33):
kind of has the up where workingin music, being around music it's so
healing and it makes you feel good. But yeah, you can definitely get
burned out always being on the roadand being around at twenty four to seven,
So having Backline as a resource isso important. Yeah, And lastly,

(19:55):
would you have any sort of maybeadvice for listeners who are listening to
this episode Maybe they're feeling down ordepressed with music lately. Obviously they can
reach out to back Line, butdo you maybe just have any simple advice
you usually give to people having youknow, a rough day or rough time

(20:18):
in music. I think my firstone is like, just consider yourself,
consider yourself, your health, yourmental health, your wellness, overall wellness,
your sustainability. You know, whenwe're go into the music industry.
It's such an exciting industry to gointo, and then you kind of find
along the way that when you startto struggle, people are like, well,

(20:40):
you work for that band, oryou're this you're playing this venue,
and not really understanding that these arehumans first. So my advice would be
considered self, so yourself as ahuman, you know, and it can
be incredibly hard, especially when you'reon the road or in the midst of
the hustle, to take those breaks, but always finding time to rest,

(21:03):
be that exercising that could be activerest through exercising, enjoying other arts outside
of music, meeting up with afriend who's you know, really close,
close, confident support system for you, getting out in the sun, playing
with your dog, you know,just giving yourself like moments of rest throughout

(21:25):
your day, especially when you're inthe midst of touring and the hustle of
it all. Yeah, I lovethat. Definitely some great advice there.
And to wrap up, if someonein the music industry would like to get
in touch with Backline to utilize yourresources or find out if they're even eligible,

(21:45):
where can they find you? Absolutelydefinitely our website www. Dot Backline
dot Care. That is where you'regoing to find all of the information about
Backline. That is where you're goingto find ways of accessing our case management
service. All of our wellness partnersare in there. If anybody's you know,
going listening to this that's also amental health professional, you can join

(22:08):
our referral network at any point throughthrough that website, and then you know
also follow us on socials. Oursocials are where we're going to be posting
all of our partnerships when we're onlovely podcasts or when we're out at events
where people can come and see us. So those would be the best places
to get information from us. Andthen if you ever have any just general

(22:30):
questions about Backline, you can emailhello at Backline dot Care. That's kind
of our general inbox where we feelquestions that general questions people may have about
our services. Wonderful. I willdefinitely add all of those links in the
liner notes for listeners to quickly clickon if they want to get in touch.

(22:51):
And you mentioned events, are thereany upcoming events where people could find
you in person? Oh, letme say, I think right now,
I don't know if we have anyupcoming I believe we might have some pride
stuff coming up again that would beall over our socials. The last thing
we did we did go to ParticipationRow for Dead Forever in Vegas. That

(23:14):
was the last one that we did. But throughout the summer we'll be posting
like which concerts will be at anevents in Denver. We are often at
the Mission supporting those shows and justyeah being there making people aware of us.
We provide your plugs often at theshows, so definitely in Denver at
the Mission shows or just stay cluedinto our socials see where we're going to

(23:37):
be at next. Okay, wonderful. Thank you so much Brad for joining
me today and providing some background onsome mental health resources for professionals. Absolutely
my pleasure. Thanks so much forhaving me