On today’s episode, Mike & Oteil sit down with Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer, who work with non-profit Backline to provide mental health care services to musicians and music industry folk. After 7 months of the global pandemic affecting the lives of millions, with a country growing in polarization and turmoil as we near an election, mental health in the US and around the world has certainly taken a hit. The crisis has upended the main source of income for touring musicians in particular. Zack and Chayim share the mental health trends they’ve noticed within themselves and their patients this year, and thoughts on how we can use our challenges for growth. 

Backline is a non-profit that connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources–streamlining access to a network of trusted organizations and care providers that understand this line of work. Backline is a critical connector for touring professionals who often lack the resources they need to address mental health and wellness needs on the road, and it can be accessed from anywhere. It is Backline’s mission to support our community as we navigate the challenges associated with this lifestyle.

Dr. Chayim Newman (PhD in Clinical Psychology) ’s clinical practice, serving touring artists, crew members, and music industry professionals, focuses on the use of a variety of therapeutic modalities (CBT, ACT, Mindfulness, traditional psychotherapy) in the treatment of mental health and stress-related disorders. Having been involved in the entertainment industry for over two decades, as a touring performer, event producer, and artist liaison, Dr. Newman possesses a first-hand understanding of the unique challenges and stresses facing artists and touring personnel. Chayim also works with the Tour Health initiative to learn more and address these challenges.

Zack Borer is provides preventative mental health support and wellness strategies to individuals working in the music industry. Zack works with artists and their support staff to enhance emotional wellbeing and to help mitigate the acute mental health crises that have become commonplace in the music business. 

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Comes A Time is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Oteil Burbridge and Mike Finoia. Executive Producers are Christina Collins, RJ Bee and Kirsten Cluthe. Production, Editing and Mixing by Eric Limarenko and Matt Dwyer. Theme music by Oteil Burbridge. To discover more podcasts that connect you more deeply to the music you love, check out osirispod.com

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