2024 Neal Casal Fellowship with Backline
Photo credit: Jeremy Charles
With the fourth anniversary of Neal's passing, the Neal Casal Music Foundation continues to look for meaningful ways to support musicians' mental health and wellness.
Backline and the Neal Casal Music Foundation have announced The Neal Casal Fellowship for 2024. After a successful inaugural year, the second year of the fellowship will continue this 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 again 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.
"Part of our origin story will always be tied to Neal Casal's life and legacy, but the creation of the Neal Casal Clinical Fellowship has allowed us to realize the impact of this legacy in a way that allows our organization to grow sustainably, clinically, and community-wide," says Backline's Executive Director and Co-Founder Hilary Gleason. "The first year of the Fellowship was incredibly beneficial to our inner workings, and we are thrilled to announce that we are now accepting applications for the second year!"
“Supporting Backline’s mission through the Neal Casal Clinical Fellowship this past year has been a unique and meaningful experience. The fellowship allowed me to use my clinical experience to help solve problems and support Backline’s growth. It provided space to offer my perspective and creativity to projects that align with my passions. And it stretched me to take on tasks I’ve never done before, building trust in my approach and strengthening my love of collaboration. A highlight has been working with a team of kind, creative, and dedicated folks who are really good at what they do,” adds Carrie Ann Flemming who was Backline's 2023 Fellow.
Applications are now open here.
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.
