In partnership with Backline and Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, the music industry’s leaders in mental health, Red Dirt Relief Fund is launching a fund to provide individual grants of $625 to qualifying Oklahoma music creators and their families to use towards mental health therapy.

Music professionals who have worked in the industry for five years and are residents of Oklahoma are eligible to apply for the Fund here. Applications are reviewed by RDRF, and once an applicant is approved, they are routed through Backline Case Management to connect with a therapist. If the applicant already has a therapist, the funds can be used to pay their existing provider. 

A 2019 study revealed 73% of independent musicians experience symptoms of mental illness—including anxiety and depression—compared to 19% in the general population. Another study found male musicians in the U.S. face suicide rates nearly 10 times higher than the national average. Over half of music professionals (54%) report using drugs or alcohol to manage stress, with 17% reporting direct impact on their work performance. The industry’s structure—marked by long hours, financial instability, lack of HR support, and constant travel—creates an environment that fuels stress, burnout, and trauma.

“We know our Oklahoma music creators face these same issues that can ultimately undermine their creativity and careers,” said Katie Dale, RDRF Executive Director. “Backline has built a network of mental health providers trained in the specific challenges of those working in music. They make the process simple and help music creators find a therapist, support groups and other resources. This partnership provides mental health expertise to help meet our mission of providing a safety net for Oklahoma music people.”

Early this year, Red Dirt Relief Fund learned Oklahoma artist, Wyatt Flores, had committed $1 from every ticket sold on his spring tour to benefit the Fund. With the promise of this donation and the leadership Flores has shown in talking about mental health as a touring artist, the establishment of OMMHF gained momentum.

According to Flores, “I’m so proud to be a red dirt artist from Oklahoma. I’m just grateful I’m able to give a little bit back to the community that built me and made me who I am. Being a touring artist is the toughest job I’ve ever had, when you love something so much oftentimes you can find yourself lost. I hope that through this donation we can help others find balance the way that I have through mental health resources. Burnout is real and I want to help prevent it as much as possible.”

Founded in 2012, Red Dirt Relief Fund provides a safety net of critical assistance to Oklahoma music people. They have delivered more than $1 million in direct emergency financial assistance to help than 800 individuals working in 100 Oklahoma communities recover from accidents, medical conditions and other unexpected emergencies.

Backline is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources with a goal of building a safer and more supported music industry by connecting this community with quality mental health care resources that understand this line of work.

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians and music industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet while facing physical or mental health issues, disability, or age-related problems.

 

To learn more or apply for mental health assistance, please visit https://www.reddirtrelieffund.org/get-help-mental-health/.