Industry Rallies For Mental Health With ‘Tour Support’ Program

Tour Support is a new nonprofit program tackling the most critical needs of artists, crews and vendors by providing mental health support for the touring community, with backing from Live Nation, WME and endorsed by artists including John Legend, Steve Aoki, Grace VanderWaal and others.

“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,” Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino says 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.”

Tour Support’s first initiative is a partnership with leading online therapy organization BetterHelp, which will allow tours and vendors to purchase a plan that makes professional counseling available anytime, anywhere, via text, phone or video chat to everyone in their organization.

BetterHelp has gifted $250,000 worth of services to new and independent artists.

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,” says 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.”

Announced on World Mental Health Day, Tour Support is a new division of LightHopeLife, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit suicide prevention and awareness foundation, recognizing that the music world is experiencing a mental health crisis among touring professionals, most acutely evidenced by an alarming number of suicides in recent years.

The initial concept for Tour Support came from Steve Richards, an executive producer with Original Syndicate and former touring professional who has lost more than 10 friends and colleagues to suicide in just the last two years.

Richards partnered with management, entertainment, and social impact company Friends At Work, whose founder and CEO, Ty Stiklorius, empathized immediately.

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“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.” The Friends at Work team was impressed with the trainings, passion and understanding of the Music Industry from LightHopeLife and partnered together to form the new organization.

In addition, Vicky Cornell has come on board to partner with Tour Support personally and with the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation. “Losing Chris has been the single most devastating experience in my family’s life,” Vicky Cornell says in a statement. “Tragically, there are countless stories like this, but we only hear about the famous ones. The music community has lost far too many. We must promote and prioritize mental health and wellness and creating a real support system on the road is critical. Intervention is prevention.

“Chris’s death was tragic and what makes it more so is that it was completely preventable. Tour Support’s trainings and resources will specifically help support the music community that Chris will always be a part of. I’m honored to be a part of their efforts to raise awareness, educate and support our extended families on the road.”

Generous assistance has also come from partners WME and Speakable, who both recognize the relevance of Tour Support’s mission to their own businesses and the entertainment world at large. WME is marking the launch of Tour Support with a panel discussion at their offices this Friday.

More information about the plan can be found at: lighthopelife.org/tour-support

Artists endorsing the Tour Support organization:

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.