Sound Mind Initiative

For all our focus on building mental health awareness into our curricula, organizational templates vary. If you’re thinking big about your own program, the Department of Sound, a Sacramento-based organization that trains youth in music production and podcasting, has created their own approach: a five-year plan called the Sound Mind Initiative. The initiative will explore the connection between music and wellbeing through the creation of a Music & Mental Health Curriculum, training music educators in mindfulness and mental health awareness and providing intensive mentorship for students in music production. Over the next five years, the program will be rolled out to 25,000 students in the greater Sacramento area. They also offer online resources for educators and students interested in music production. Their webpage also details the evidence-based benefits of music education programs—perfect for sharing with potential donors for your own music program.