Industry leaders convene to address mental health challenges, unveil plans for new Center
The Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business held the '24/7: Mental Health and Entertainment Conference,' Wednesday, Aug. 7. The event, which drew more than 100 registrants, addressed the unique challenges faced by professionals in the entertainment industry. The lines between personal and professional life often blur, and the demands of a 24/7 work culture can take a toll on mental and emotional well-being.
"As an educational institution with strong ties to the entertainment industry, Belmont is ideally positioned to bring these crucial conversations to the forefront," said Curb College Dean Brittany Schaffer. "We're not just educating future professionals; we're actively working to improve the industry they'll enter."
The conference opened with Belmont professor Cristi Williams' session "Pendulum of Success." Williams, founder of Shading the Limelight, introduced the "Pendulum of Fame" concept as a tool to foster a healthier entertainment industry. This approach aims to promote balance and awareness, helping industry professionals thrive creatively and emotionally.
Following her session, Williams moderated a candid "State of the Industry" panel featuring Cris Lacy, co-chair & co-president of Warner Music Group Nashville; Brad Parker, festival director at C3 Presents; and artist Sheldon Smith.
Attendees chose to attend two of five breakout sessions, which covered topics ranging from work-life balance to emotional intelligence in leadership, cultivating connections among competitors and managing stress.
- Work/Life Unbalance | Elizabeth Porter, LPC/MHSP, founder & president of entertainment health services
- Cultivating Connections in a Competitive Industry | Beth Barcus & Chad Karger, Co-Executive Directors of Porter's Call
- Protecting Personal and Professional Peace | Cristi Williams
- Emotionally Smart Leadership | Heather Schnoebelen, LCMHCS, CCS, CTT-II, LCAS, VP of Clinical Services at Onsite
- Stress vs. Anxiety: What's the Difference? | Stephanie Hajjar & Britton Copeland, Shading the Limelight
Why are we here?
Al Andrews delivered the closing keynote, “Why are we here?” An innovator in the entertainment industry, Al founded Porter’s Call more than two decades ago as a safe place for artists to find counseling and respite from the nuanced challenges of their profession, free of charge.
Conference attendees were invited to consider what it might mean to return to their first love and find a deeper purpose in their work. In the music business, where the passion that draws people in can often become overshadowed by the industry's demands, this reflection held particular significance.
“We all have moments when we're rescued; where we were sinking, and someone threw a rope to us and pulled us in,” said Andrews. “Often, music is involved. Hope is accompanied by a soundtrack.”
Andrews' message reframed the industry's purpose, elevating it from simply music to a life-saving force. His metaphor of "brewing tea" — equating the industry's work to Don Richie's simple yet profound act of offering a cup of tea to those in crisis — gives deeper meaning to the music business.
“This is a part of a greater and more noble purpose for everyone in this room,” said Andrews. “You do more than what your job description says, my friends, you brew tea. You brew hope. Everybody in this room has a song that saved their life, and you're a part of that.”
Center for Mental Health in Entertainment
To conclude the conference, Dean Brittany Schaffer announced the University's intent to open the Center for Mental Health in Entertainment.
“For the last 50 years, Belmont helped launch thousands of careers in entertainment,” said Schaffer. “With deep roots in the Nashville community and a desire to see it flourish, we will come alongside our industry partners in seeking solutions and building healthy, sustainable lifestyles.”
Aimed at addressing the industry's current mental health challenges, the Center will equip both Belmont students and industry professionals with tools to enhance their mental and emotional well-being. Through curricular and co-curricular activities for students, as well as resources and education for industry professionals, the Center seeks to develop the whole person, ultimately improving the overall health of the entertainment industry.
The Center is set to find its permanent home in Curb College's future Music Row building, slated for completion in 2028. However, the work begins now, guided by an esteemed industry steering committee:
- Debbie Carroll, VP of Entertainment & Specialized Services, Onsite
- Tatum Allsep, founder/CEO, Music Health Alliance
- Rachel Wein, A&R manager, Prescription Songs
- Al Andrews, founder, Porter's Call
This committee will play a crucial role in shaping the Center's vision, programs, and impact long before its physical space is realized.
Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business
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