Today, Backline and the Neal Casal Music Foundation announce The Neal Casal Fellowship for 2022-2023 on the third anniversary of the late artist's passing. The fellowship will be a unique opportunity to work with Backline, a non-profit organization focused on providing customized mental health and wellness resources to the music industry and their families.
The Neal Casal Fellow will support Backline's long-term clinical strategy, working alongside Backline's Clinical Director and key partners to build programming to support the real-time needs of the music industry. This is a paid position, with a weekly time requirement of 10 hours per week.
Qualifications for the position include: completing or has completed a Master's Degree in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work and currently enrolled in accredited Counseling/Social Work Program. Knowledge and/or experience working within the music industry preferred, but not required.
"The loss of Neal Casal started a ripple, and a long-overdue conversation across the music industry which led a group of us to form Backline in 2019 to create a stronger safety net for musicians and music industry professionals. Since our inception, we have provided mental health services to thousands of people across the country. The Neal Casal Fellowship is a powerful next chapter in our story with the Neal Casal Music Foundation, and will help us to expand our reach and clinical resources in 2023 and beyond," says Jenn Glickman, Backline Co-Founder and Board Member
Michele Augis of the NCMF continues: "Our hope for the Neal Casal Fellowship is to provide clinical support to Backline so that they can continue serving those in need within the music industry. On the third anniversary of Neal's passing, we're honored to collaborate on a fellowship in his name that will provide services greatly needed by musicians and their teams who bring joy to so many, but often struggle with mental health themselves. We look forward to welcoming the Neal Casal Fellow and integrating them into the Backline mission."
Applications are now open here.
More info on Neal Casal:
Neal Casal was a multi-dimensional artist with a 30-plus year career spent as a songwriter, singer, guitarist, solo artist & band member, record producer, photographer, and friend. Neal tragically took his own life on August 26, 2019 at the age of 50.
In the wake of this loss, the Neal Casal Music Foundation (NCMF) was formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2020 to honor Neal's memory. Along with preserving his artistic legacy, the NCMF provides musical instruments and lessons to students in New Jersey and New York state schools where Neal was born and raised, as well as donating to mental health organizations that support musicians in need.
More info on Backline:
Backline is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides mental health and wellness resources to the music industry and their families.
Backline 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. They’re a critical connector for touring professionals who often lack the resources they need to address mental health and wellness needs.
Backline offers a free Case Management program, as well as support groups, workshops, meditation, breathwork, yoga, and other virtual experiences to support the music industry.
