Today, the Neal Casal Music Foundation and Backline announced The Neal Casal Fellowship for 2022-2023, a unique and rare opportunity to work directly with Backline, a non-profit organization focused on providing customized mental health and wellness resources to the music industry and their families. The announcement of the upcoming year’s fellowship comes on the third anniversary of the late artist’s passing.

The Neal Casal Fellow will take part in supporting Backline’s clinical strategy, working with their Clinical Director and key partners to formulate a long-term program in support of the real-time needs of individuals in the music industry. The position is paid and requires 10 working hours per week.

To qualify for the position, one must have completed or is completing a Master’s Degree in Counseling/Social Work Program and have knowledging and/or experience working within the music industry is preferred though 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,” said Jenn Glickman, Backline Co-Founder and Board Member. “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.”

Michele Augis of the Neal Casal Music Foundation expanded saying, “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.” 

Apply for The Neal Casal Fellowship here.

If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help.