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Backline Drops Free EDM Mental Health Toolkit for Artists, Crews & Fans

·Eva Quinn

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Backline is excited to announce the official launch of their latest freely accessible resource, the EDM Toolkit. The toolkit is a free, comprehensive resource designed to support the unique pressures of life in the electronic music scene – with practical information, tools and support options for artists, producers, managers and crew members and industry professionals alike. Areas of focus include tour preparation, re-entry after touring, substance use and harm reduction, support for sobriety, self-care, nutrition and mental health check-ins.

DOWNLOAD THE EDM TOOLKIT HERE

The life of an electronic music fan and artist is one of constant movement. While the rest of the world’s asleep, some people on the road, at clubs, behind the decks, or on the center of the dance floor. The new EDM Toolkit intends to meet ravers and kindred spirits where they are: this resource is a dedicated space for every role within the EDM community to find balance and connection. It acknowledges that while we all share a passion for the music and the scene, everyone manages a different set of rhythms and pressures to make it enjoyable.

The toolkit complements Backline’s broader suite of services, including:

  • A 24/7 mental health and crisis support line (B-LINE)
  • One-on-one case management connecting individuals to vetted providers
  • Wellness resources such as mindfulness and yoga

Together, these offerings form a holistic support system for everyone who has a hand in making the music happen.

“Music is therapeutic, but in live electronic it’s also a lot of late nights, early mornings, sets until sunrise and then flying to the next city,” says Backline Co-founder and Executive Director Hilary Gleason. “Backline is committed to taking care of the artists and community who are so generous with their time and talent, and we designed these tools to meet the EDM scene where they are with specific resources for their unique needs.”

Backline soft launched the EDM Mental Health Toolkit at Miami Music Week, an electronic music-focused festival that took place March 24 to 29 this year. There, they previewed the resource to the global electronic music community during a key cultural touchpoint for the industry, the 2026 Femmy Awards.

FEMME HOUSE’s Co-founder and Artist-In-Chief LP Giobbi says of the EDM Toolkit:

“At FEMME HOUSE, we’re committed to building a more equitable and sustainable dance music industry, and that includes prioritizing mental health. Previewing Backline’s EDM Toolkit at the 2026 Femmy Awards during Miami Music Week felt like a natural fit — it’s a resource that meets this community with real, practical support. We see firsthand how demanding this space can be and tools like this are essential for empowering artists and industry professionals to look after themselves and each other.”

For its official launch, Backline has partnered with electronic musician and experimental vocalist Kaleena Zanders on an artist-led testimonial initiative to expand reach and drive awareness. She will be the first partnership highlighting how the EDM Toolkit was shaped by and tailored to the needs of vital members of the community and scene. Watch her official video below:

Since 2019, Backline has invested $3.5 million into mental health and wellness in the music industry and served 84,000 people. Every day, the Backline team has fielded urgent calls and cases where waiting to act isn’t an option. Mental health challenges within the music industry are at crisis levels. Suicide rates of musicians are nearly 10x the national average for males, and 73% of independent musicians report symptoms of mental illness. The latest 2025 poll, shows 8.3% of respondents suffered with suicidal thoughts in 2025.

In January, Backline launched B-LINE, a 24/7 mental health and crisis support line created exclusively for the music industry. B-LINE connects music professionals and their families with trained counselors who understand the unique pressures of working in and around music—anytime, day or night. Support is available by calling 1-855-BLINE99 or texting 254-639. This first-of-its-kind service fulfills a vision Backline has held since day one. Building a healthier, more sustainable music industry for everyone, Backline’s 24/7 crisis hotline is just a call or text away. Backline’s trusted help hub will also still be available online.

The goal of the EDM toolkit is not to tell you what to do, but to give you options, information, and support so you can take care of yourself and those around you. By taking small, intentional steps, we can make the EDM space healthier, safer, and more sustainable for everyone. The resource guide is available to read now.

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