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Stream: MusiCares' Mental Health Month Playlist mental-health-awareness-month-2021-playlist

Listen: Kick Off Mental Health Awareness Month 2021 With MusiCares' Playlist Of Go-To Comfort Songs

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To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month 2021, the MusiCares team has compiled a playlist of their favorite pick-me-up songs, including tracks from Taylor Swift, Fitz and the Tantrums, Bill Withers and more
Hannah Kulis
MusiCares
May 3, 2021 - 5:01 pm

The MusiCares team is embracing in the healing power of music with a playlist of their favorite comfort songs in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month 2021. The playlist features all kinds of feel-good music, from bops like "Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats to self-empowerment anthems like Rachel Platten's "Fight Song" to Billy Joel's calming "Vienna," which reminds listeners everything is going to work out just fine.

Mental health awareness is a crucial part of the MusiCares mission. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989, MusiCares is the leading music industry charity that supports music people through three key areas of service: Human Services, Health Services, and Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services.

As part of their Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services, MusiCares hosts five free weekly online groups for anyone in the music industry looking for emotional support. MusiCares also offers direct financial assistance to music community members for things like therapy, psychiatric care, inpatient treatment, coaching, intensive outpatient care, sober living and more.

Mental health awareness is also a key element in MusiCares' virtual programming. In just the past three months, they have hosted over 10 programs specific to mental health awareness. This includes panel discussions such as "Black Mental Health Matters," a look at mental health through the lens of racial injustice, and "IN TUNE: Music as the Bridge to Mindfulness," a mindfulness and meditation workshop for individuals in the music industry.

For guaranteed positive vibes all month long, cue up the MusiCares Mental Health Awareness Month 2021 playlist below!

MusiCares Co-Founds First National Mental Health Action Day With MTV & Others

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Photo: Ramon Costa/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

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Virtual Game Night: 6 Music Games To Play 6-music-games-play-virtual-game-night-friends-family

6 Music Games To Play For A Virtual Game Night With Friends & Family

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Try these creative ways to stay connected, have fun and maintain good mental health during quarantine
Kit Stone
MusiCares
May 25, 2020 - 12:35 pm

For some, the first week of the stay at home order felt like a vacation — a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We watched too much television, ate too many snacks, danced in our pajamas in the middle of the afternoon, and rekindled our relationship with our favorite bedspreads. 

But for family-oriented individuals, the stay-at-home orders hit differently. Sunday dinners and game-nights have been put on hold to ensure everyone's safety during the pandemic. That doesn't mean that you can't spend quality time with your loved ones, it just means you need to get a little creative. 

The saying is true, you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, and not being able to connect with friends and family in the way that we’re used to can take a toll on your emotional and mental health. So, we’ve got to get creative on ways to incorporate family time even if you can’t physically connect. Establishing a routine game night, even virtually, can provide the emotional lift you need to help you maintain during the quarantine. 

Spending time with family and friends, even virtually, can relieve stress, decrease anxiety and depression, improve sleep, improve relationships, and make you happier all around. As long as you have wifi, you can organize a game night that can still add hours of family fun to your day. 

If you come from a musical family where get-togethers turn into impromptu concerts or viral TikTok videos, this list is for you. These virtual music-themed games can increase your musical knowledge, give your friends and family a peek into your musical taste, get your creative juices flowing and lift your mood. 

1. Verzuz 

Instagram got an instant upgrade when mega producers Timbaland and Swiss Beatz went hit for hit in the first Verzuz challenge. Since then, millions have gathered around their phones, tablets, and computers and watched artists like Teddy Riley and Babyface, Ryan Tedder and Benny Blanco, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, and most recently, Ludacris and Nelly go hit for hit. You don’t have to wait for the next chart-topping artists to experience your next battle. Pick your favorite artist and challenge a friend. You can even invite others to listen in and choose the winner.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CARL1DQJ8LW

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2. Don’t Forget the Lyrics 

Are you a master at song lyrics? Well, even if you’re not, this will be a fun game. Each person takes turns playing a piece of a song. Without warning, stop the song and have the challenger finish the lyrical phrase. In order to get the point, they have to finish the lyrics word for word. If you want to be nice, you can let the other player sacrifice a point in order to give them a clue. The first person to get 12 song lyrics right, wins! Options: You can change the number from 12 to 20 or just 5, depending on how long you want to make your game.

3. Name That Tune

Start by playing an intro of a song. Before the verse starts, stop the song and wait for the other person to guess the title and the artist. Only the correct title gets the point. Partial or “almost” titles don’t count. Play one-on-one, or in teams. Make it more challenging by sticking to one genre or a specific decade. The parameters are up to you, so have fun with it!

4. Music Trivia

Normally, for this game, you would need a trivia master. That person would have to create a Google Doc of musical categories and questions similar to Jeopardy. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered with the “Ask GRAMMYs” music trivia game, compatible with Alexa and Google Home. You can test your music knowledge in categories that cover country music stars to rock legends and previous GRAMMY winners. The game refreshes every Monday with a new category so choose your team wisely. Check out this calendar to see what’s coming next. 

https://twitter.com/RecordingAcad/status/1253372567328612353

Looking for the perfect way to stay entertained while social distancing? Test your music knowledge with our weekly #GRAMMYTrivia.

Simply say "Ask GRAMMYs" to your #GoogleHome or #Alexa to get started! https://t.co/XPr5BmzzW3

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) April 23, 2020

5/25 – The GRAMMYs Goes To The Opera
6/1 – Pride + Music
6/8 – The '60s
6/15 – The '70s
6/22 – The '80s
6/29 – '90s R&B

5. Song Association

This game can be played one-on-one or with teams. One person gives a member of the opposite team a word. That person has 10 seconds to sing a song with that word in it. If the time runs out, the person doesn’t get the point and it’s the other team’s turn. The first team or player to get 10 right, or however many you decide, wins. Easy words to start with are colors, places and objects.

6. Dance Freeze

Dancing carries its own benefits to health and wellness. Something as simple as moving your body can boost your cognitive performance, mood, and improve your cardiovascular health. It’s also an activity that all ages can enjoy from your barely walking tots to your more seasoned relatives. Designate a DJ. The DJ will play music and the other players will dance. Once the DJ stops the music, the players have to freeze in whatever dance position they’re in. The DJ watches to make sure they’re frozen in place. Anyone that moves is automatically out. The last player dancing wins. This a great game to get the whole family up and moving.

Kit Stone is a multimedia storyteller and digital content creator. A native of California, she credits her love of all things creative to the influence of the Bay Area culture she grew up in, and the part her family, Sly & the Family Stone, played in shaping it. Since receiving her degree in visual storytelling and media production from Cal State East Bay, Kit has used her passion for storytelling to inspire, educate, and entertain. When she’s off the clock, you can find her curled up with a good book or watching episodes of "The Golden Girls."

Read More: 11 Meditation Apps To Help You Get Calm & Centered During Quarantine & Beyond

Read more: How To Use Music Techniques To Prepare Healthy Food

Learn more about how you can donate to or apply for assistance via the Recording Academy's and MusiCares' COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Learn more about the financial, medical and personal emergencies services and resources offered by the Recording Academy and MusiCares. 

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The Success Of Mental Health Treatment mental-health-awareness-month-yes-mental-health-treatment-works

Mental Health Awareness Month: Yes, Mental Health Treatment Works

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As we close Mental Health Awareness Month this May, survey how treatment for mental illness can lead to hope and recovery
Renée Fabian
MusiCares
May 31, 2018 - 4:50 pm

Many times we tend to focus on the devastating impacts of mental illness — one in five U.S. citizens lives with a mental illness but more than 55 percent don't receive treatment in any given year. Often this focus helps expand on the breadth of the issue and initiates momentum to urge public officials to take action and to help organizations hone their services accordingly. But as we close Mental Health Awareness Month this May, it's also important to remember there's hope.

Dave Navarro's Powerful Message Of Hope

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 70 to 90 percent of those who have a mental illness experience improvement with treatment, including a reduction in symptoms and a better quality of life. This improvement can be accomplished through psychotherapy, medications or a combination of the two.

However, before a course of treatment can be successful, the first step is to know when to reach out for help.

As cited by the American Psychiatric Association, potential symptoms that could indicate someone is experiencing mental illness include withdrawal and isolation, having trouble at school or work, issues with concentration, a sense of having a "short fuse," apathy, feeling disconnected, persistent anxiety, unusual changes in behavior, mood or even habits such as sleeping and eating. Also be on the lookout for signs of an emergency, such as suicidal ideation, which requires immediate intervention.

"Sometimes the signs are obvious but at other times, something may feel slightly off and you can't figure out what it is," wrote psychologist David Sack in Psychology Today. "Contrary to popular misconception, you don't have to be 'crazy,' desperate or on the brink of a meltdown to go to therapy."

As Sack alludes to, the time to get help may be, perhaps surprisingly, before there is even anything noticeably wrong — preventative mental health care, if you will.

"I know this sounds strange, but I believe the best time to consider treatment is when things are going well," advises counselor Al Andrews, founder and executive director of Porter's Call. "Ninety-nine percent of the individuals who come into my office, arrive because they have a problem. … The Titanic has hit the iceberg and the ship is taking on water. ... What if people sought treatment when they heard there might be icebergs in the water ahead? The sooner that can be explored, the better that individual has to live a healthier life."

Jacoby Shaddix quote for Mental Health Awareness Month 2018
Music Saved My Life: 2018 Mental Health Awareness Month

If you're ready to seek out mental health resources, there are several places you can start. Try therapist directories such as the one at Psychology Today or through your insurance provider. Mental health helplines can also be a great source of local mental health information for all income levels. Reach out to friends for possible referrals, or if you're a musician or music industry professional, call MusiCares to talk about what resources may be available.

Regardless, never be afraid to reach out for support, whether you're not feeling like yourself or you want to make sure your mind stays in tip-top shape. Treatment for mental health is available, and when people stick with it, it's effective. There's hope for everyone struggling with their mental health, including you.

"I was struggling with anxiety that I never had before following the passing of my father and a recent breakup. I couldn't get on a flight, barely get on stage and my life felt like it was crumbling apart," said a MusiCares client. "My manager called MusiCares and they helped me with a psych evaluation, medication and psychotherapy. I'm beginning to feel better and know it's a long road but finally have hope when I didn't before."

6 Tips For People Who Can't Afford Mental Health Care
 

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Learn More: Protecting Adolescent Mental Health what-you-need-know-about-adolescent-mental-health

What You Need To Know About Adolescent Mental Health

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This Mental Health Awareness Month, take a closer look at mental illness warning signs in young people and what you can do to help
Renée Fabian
MusiCares
May 3, 2018 - 2:44 pm

A sullen teenager slams the door in your face for the 10th time this week. An energetic fifth grader bounces off the walls of the classroom, a bundle of energy that won't be contained. Your 12-year-old child is afraid of the dark and performs a nightly ritual to ward off the "monsters."

Dave Navarro's Powerful Message Of Hope

These scenarios are likely to pop up in the household of concerned parents. The questions for many, however, are which behaviors represent typical adolescence and normal development, and which may be caused by mental illness?

It's not always so easy to tell, which begs another question: Where should a parent start?

"Any time that a child or adolescent's behavior shows a dramatic change, primarily with things like isolating from friends and family, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, and any significant changes in their usual activities, like things that they used to really enjoy they don't enjoy now," that's when to consider getting a child extra help advises Texas-based psychotherapist Margery Boucher.

Parents should think twice if a child is isolating away from friends as opposed to withdrawing from family to spend time with peers. Other warning signs to watch out for are being secretive versus wanting more privacy or losing interest in all activities instead of evolving from childhood interests to teenage activities. Also, be on the lookout for extremes, even when they might seem to be unlikely causes for concern.

"They used to never want to hang out with friends and now all the sudden that's all they want to do, which might seem counterintuitive," Boucher says. "But sometimes if there is drug behavior … suddenly they'll want to hang out with a certain group they've never wanted to be around before."

While these differences in behavior can be subtle or hard to detect, Boucher says that most parents know their kids and they should trust their gut when questioning a child's behavior. If caregivers have suspicions something more than developmental angst may be going on, it's critical to reach out for professional support because "you just never know what a kid could be going through."

Share your story: notalone.nami.org —— “Dopamine is more than the ‘good feeling’ chemical. It’s also helping regulate my mood, sleep, cognition and behavior. —— As a therapist, I always like to assign challenges to my clients. Here’s one for you: The next time you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, sad, etc., put on an upbeat song, bring your whole attention to the music and lyrics and move (dance, walk, etc.). That’s it. —— If it seems simple, that’s because it is. When we’re having a tough time, we tend to sit and dwell. So, let’s do the opposite. Let’s move and distract. —— And to be clear, I’m not suggesting ‘distracting’ as in ‘avoiding.’ But we often confuse dwelling with problem-solving, and dwelling is actually just focusing on feeling bad, rather than a proactively solving a problem. When my clients report dwelling, I often ask, ‘So, you’ve sat on the couch and dwelled for a few weeks now, and nothing has changed. How about we try something different?’” #mentalhealth #mentalillness #therapy #recovery #stigmafree

A post shared by NAMI (@namicommunicate) on Apr 5, 2018 at 12:04pm PDT

In addition, mental illness in those under the age of 18 isn't uncommon. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 20 percent of young people between ages 13–18 live with a mental health condition. For those 14 and older with a mental illness, 50 percent will drop out of high school. And if left untreated, mental illness can be deadly — suicide is the third leading cause of death among 10–24-year-olds.

Mental health for young people is different than adults, from diagnosis through treatment. For this reason, when seeking professional support for a child, look for a specialist through resources such as Psychology Today's therapist network, an insurance provider's directory or by reaching out to MusiCares if you're a music industry professional.

"It's very, very important for parents to make sure that they find a clinician who specializes in diagnosing, assessing and treating children or an adolescent, not just any therapist," Boucher underscores. "Parents need to be informed consumers. … [Don't] be afraid to call a therapist or a psychologist up and ask, 'Hey, can I ask you some questions?' and interview them. That's very important."

Jacoby Shaddix quote for Mental Health Awareness Month 2018
Music Saved My Life: 2018 Mental Health Awareness Month

In the meantime, there are ways parents can help protect a child's mental health, especially in teaching children about emotions.

"Kids often times don't have a label for the feelings they're having and so they don't really know how to express that feeling," Boucher says. Parents can reflect emotions back to kids so they can label and manage feelings in a healthy manner.

"If a kid comes to a parent and they're obviously upset about something, label those feelings for the kids," Boucher explains. "Say, 'Gosh, you're really angry about this.' And then talk to them about that emotion and say, 'It's OK to be angry but it's not OK to slam doors. Let's talk about how to really express your anger.'"

Another great way to support kids' mental health? Activities. Outside playtime, sports, and particularly music and the other arts provide a creative outlet for energy and emotions that keep children's minds healthy.

"[Give] kids avenues for letting out various emotions," Boucher says. "Art is a great thing for anyone to be able to express feelings."

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

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Watch Music Business & Family: Fatherhood & Music music-business-family-fatherhood-music-dives-deep-balancing-kids-career-pandemic

Music Business & Family: Fatherhood & Music Dives Deep Into Balancing Kids, Career & A Pandemic

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Six working dads dive deep into the joys and challenges of fatherhood, balancing career and childcare responsibilities with a partner
Ana Monroy Yglesias
Membership
Nov 12, 2020 - 12:53 pm

The Music Business & Family: Fatherhood & Music panel recently brought together music professionals navigating fatherhood during the pandemic for an insightful, honest conversation about balancing life as a working father in the music industry. 

The heartfelt virtual discussion, moderated by Fake Shore Drive music blog creator Andrew Barber, featured five fellow awesome dads: clinical psychologist Dr. James Ballard III, Ph.D., producer/multi-instrumentalist and Co-Founder of BASSic Black Entertainment Adam Blackstone, Chicago rapper and mental health advocate G Herbo, songwriter/producer Billy Mann, and DMV rapper/producer Oddisee. The panel was presented by the Recording Academy's Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia Chapters, in partnership with MusiCares,

Watch Music Business & Family: Fatherhood & Music

Related: Watch: Music Business & Family: Motherhood & Music Brings Together Powerhouse Moms Working In Music

The panelists dove deep into the joys and challenges of fatherhood, balancing career and childcare responsibilities with their partner, and how much more work quarantine has left them all with. Watch the full conversation above. 

The conversation is part of a two-part series, preceded by Music Business & Family: Motherhood & Music.

G Herbo Talks 'PTSD' And The Importance Of Mental Health: "People Need To Treat Mental Health More Seriously"

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy and its Affiliates. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy and its Affiliates lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy and its Affiliates.