In an unprecedented move for the music industry, Spotify and nonprofit organization Backline have announced Heart & Soul: Mental Health for Creators — a global initiative dedicated to supporting the emotional and mental well-being of artists, songwriters, and music professionals around the world.
At the heart of this partnership is the launch of the first-ever Global Mental Health Resource Hub — a multilingual platform offering tailored, location-based resources and crisis support for those in the music industry. With a mission to remove barriers to care and provide real-time support, the hub marks a major international expansion for Backline, whose U.S.-based services have already reached thousands.
“Backline is honored to serve as a steward of Spotify’s investment into the creative community,” said Hilary Gleason, executive director & co-founder of Backline. “Bringing our work to scale is a meaningful way to uplift the well-being of artists all around the world. Music knows no bounds, and now, people who make music happen have access to care and a compassionate community.”
The Heart & Soul initiative offers a comprehensive range of mental health support for the global music community. This includes a dedicated Global Concierge Support service to help users navigate mental health systems in their own countries, and Mind the Music, a free digital guide designed to support every role in the music ecosystem. The initiative also provides 1:1 therapy access for Spotify’s EQUAL, GLOW and RADAR artist ambassadors in the U.S. and U.K. through Music’s Mental Health Fund and Music Minds Matter. Songwriters receive tailored support through studio residencies, creative gatherings, and wellness-focused events, such as the May 2025 Spotify Songwriting Studio with The Altons, Sinseers and Iman Jordan. Additionally, on-site wellness activations and self-care resources will be available at major festivals like All Things Go NYC, in partnership with Noah Kahan’s The Busyhead Project.
Spotify’s leadership emphasizes this is not a one-time program, but a deeper commitment to industry-wide change.
“It’s clear that the mental health challenges artists face are real, and that the current support systems often fall short,” said Monica Herrera Damashek, Spotify’s head of artist & label partnerships. “This initiative is a step toward a more supported, sustainable environment for the artists who shape culture every day.”
“Supporting creators’ well-being is essential to sustaining a vibrant music ecosystem. By working closely with trusted partners like Backline, we’re not just offering resources — we’re helping drive lasting change in how the industry approaches mental health,” said Lauren Siegal Wurgaft, Spotify’s head of social impact.
The Heart & Soul initiative is already being recognized as a landmark moment — not only because of the services it delivers, but because of the larger message it sends: that creator wellness is no longer a sidebar issue, but a central part of how we sustain the future of music.
Explore the Global Mental Health Resource Hub.
