CMA And The CMA Foundation Join More Than 1000 Organizations Tomorrow, May 20 For Mental Health Action Day

Country Artist Brett Eldredge to Speak About His Own Mental Health Journey on CMA’s Instagram 

CMA’s Music Industry COVID Support (MICS) Initiative Funds Mental Health Resources Through Partnerships with MusiCares, Music Health Alliance and Porter’s Call 

CMA Foundation’s “Breakfast with Tiffany” Digital Series to Shine a Light on Mental Health, Teaching and the Healing Power of Music

CMA and its philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation, have signed on to be part of the inaugural Mental Health Action Day tomorrow, Thursday, May 20, joining more than 1000 organizations, brands, government agencies and cultural leaders to address the global mental health crisis in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the day, both CMA and the CMA Foundation will take to social media and digital platforms to share actionable ways those in need of mental health assistance can take steps forward.

Country artist Brett Eldredge will show his support for Mental Health Action Day on Thursday with a video launching on CMA’s Instagram titled “Taking Care of Your Mental Health with Brett Eldredge,” where he will candidly discuss his own mental health journey, sharing insight into his daily routine and offering resources and activities that have proven useful for his own health and wellness. Focusing on his creative expression as an outlet, Eldredge’s newest single “Good Day” walks listeners through the powerful process of positive thinking.

At the onset of the pandemic, CMA extended its mission to support all music professionals within the business with its COVID-19 relief efforts, regardless of genre. As part of its ongoing Music Industry COVID Support (MICS) initiative, CMA has provided funding to three nonprofit partners—MusiCares, Music Health Alliance and Porter’s Call—to provide access to mental health resources for those within the music industry.

• MusiCares provides a wide array of programs and services to support the music community in times of need. Financial assistance, free weekly cyber support groups and a variety of resources are available to music professionals in need of mental health or addiction recovery support. Funding is available for coaching, counseling, in-patient and outpatient treatment, sober living and more. For more information or to apply for assistance, visit com/musicares/get-help.
• Music Health Alliance provides numerous mental health services including counseling, therapy and screenings for all music industry professionals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Take action at com/cmafund/.
• Porter’s Call is a mental health resource offering guidance, support and counsel to full-time recording artists. Take action and begin the eligibility application process at com.

In addition, the CMA Foundation’s Executive Director, Tiffany Kerns, will be joined by Joanie Padgett, a music teacher from Fitzgerald, GA, for an episode of the ongoing digital series, “Breakfast with Tiffany.” Kerns and Padgett will discuss the connection between mental health and teaching music, the impact music education has on the mental health of students, and how music is beneficial for the mental health of educators, especially throughout the pandemic. Catch a sneak peek of the conversation HERE.

Mental Health Action Day is being planned with the support of TaskForce, a cultural organizing agency that builds capacity for those taking on the most pressing challenges facing our communities, our nation and our world. More on Mental Health Action Day can be found at MentalHealthActionDay.org or you can follow along at #MentalHealthAction. A full list of partners is available HERE.

About the CMA Foundation

Established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining high-quality music education programs across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), invests various resources across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations.

About Mental Health Action Day

Mental Health Action Day is an open-source movement of brands, organizations, government agencies, and cultural leaders to drive culture from mental health awareness to mental health action. The first Mental Health Action Day will take place on May 20, 2021 with a mission to encourage and empower people to take their first actions on mental health — whether for themselves, for their loved ones or for their communities, because mental health is health. Learn more at MentalHealthActionDay.org.